How genetic modification is being used in New Zealand research
Genetic modification (GM) techniques have been in wide use in New Zealand research for more than a decade. The techniques are used by research institutes, private companies, universities and medical organisations to:
- identify genes and understand their functions
- investigate pests and diseases in animals and plants
- understand, diagnose and treat human disease
- investigate the control of environmental problems
- teach and educate future users of GM techniques.
New Zealand also conducts research into the social and environmental impacts of GM.
All use of GM in New Zealand is in contained environments, such as laboratories and it is predominately used as a tool for research. At present there are no commercially available GM products produced in New Zealand.
Here we take a closer look at some of the many ways GM techniques are being used in research in New Zealand.
Environmental management and pest control
Protecting native animal species
Scientists at Landcare Research and Massey University are using GM technology in the laboratory to help in the protection of endangered and other native animal species, including the kakapo, kiwi, tuatara, and black and bush robins. The technology is used for a number of reasons, including assessing the genetic variation between species for taxonomic (classification) purposes.
Pest control
Genetic modification is being investigated as a potential tool to control a number of pests. Examples include:
- research to genetically modify bacteria from the gut of wasps to produce a toxin that could kill wasp species.
- new ways to control the fertility of possums by identifying proteins that could be used to make female possums infertile. Plants, bacteria or nematode parasites could then be genetically modified to produce these possum-specific ‘infertility proteins’ so that the growth of the possum population is halted.
- Ways of releasing sterile blowflies which will mate with fertile females and ensure they cannot lay any eggs. This could provide an environmentally friendly way of controlling the flies that cause sheep strike.
Development of new foods and more productive crops
Some GM research is going on in containment with a view to enhancing the production capacity of crops and animals or to produce new products or varieties. Some examples of the types of research are outlined below.
Cattle and Sheep
AgResearch is working to develop transgenic* cattle with additional copies of casein genes to create milk with higher levels of casein. A further project involves developing transgenic cattle so that they produce a milk protein that will be tested as a potential treatment of multiple sclerosis.
AgResearch is developing new hormones, vaccines and diagnostic products for sheep using GM techniques.
*Transgenic = produced from a genetically manipulated egg or embryo
Lincoln University has investigated the development of transgenic sheep modified to produce greater amounts of wool.
Plants
Research is being carried out on a range of plants, such as crops and pine trees, with the aim of developing varieties that are pest or herbicide resistant, have enhanced growth or storage characteristics, are tolerant of a wider range of environmental conditions (e.g. drought) or able to be used in producing pharmaceuticals or cleaning up polluted environments. For example:
- HortResearch is seeking to identify genes and proteins involved in responding to pests and diseases, genes that control plant development (flower and fruit quality) and the genes involved in how a plant responds to stresses in the environment.
- Forest Research is investigating the modification of genetic traits of trees such as Norwegian spruce and Pinus radiata to improve wood quality and develop herbicide resistant trees. Herbicide resistant plants are not affected by the herbicide glyphosate – doing away with the need for more toxic chemicals, and potentially reducing the number of times a crop needs to be sprayed They are also trying to produce sterile trees that do not produce pollen that could spread the modified genes to non-GM trees.
- Crop and Food Research is investigating the development of crops, such as potatoes and onions, that are disease-resistant and have extended shelf-life. They are also modifying the pigments (substances responsible for colour) in plants for use as colouring agents and nutrients in the food industries.
- Crop and Food Research is inserting genes into potatoes so they can express valuable pharmaceutical products.
Medicines and medical research
Genetic modification techniques are used in medical research, diagnosis of diseases and in the production of medicines and vaccines.
Medicines
A number of medicines and vaccines are produced using genetically modified bacteria acting as chemical factories. The medicines are therefore products of a GM process but are not themselves genetically modified. In most cases the genetically engineered bacteria are grown in large fermentation vessels.
Medicines currently available that are produced through genetic modification include:
- insulin for diabetics
- growth hormone for individuals with pituitary dwarfism
- tissue plasminogen activator, a substance that dissolves blood clots for heart attack victims
- interferon, an anti-viral drug used for treating multiple sclerosis and cancer; and
- hepatitis vaccines.
Medical research
A major field of research is using genetic modification techniques to study the diagnosis and treatment of different forms of cancer. A team at the University of Otago Cancer Genetics Laboratory is researching an inherited form of stomach cancer. Inherited cancers, those cancers passed down from generation to generation through the genes, account for about 10% of all cancers.
Teaching
New Zealand universities use genetic modification techniques both for teaching and as a research tool. Teaching involves practical laboratory lessons so that students can learn about genetic modification.
Social, economic and environmental impacts
Research funded by the New Zealand Government, that involves the development of GM products is expected to address the environmental, social, economic and cultural impacts specific to that product.
For example, scientists from Environmental Science and Research (ESR) and Landcare Research, with a number of other research organisations are conducting research to better understand how genes may flow between GM and non-GM plants. Other research focuses on social research on issues such as understanding how to incorporate differing views and values on GM into decision-making processes. For example, Auckland University is carrying out research that will help us understand the risks, effects and acceptability to tangata whenua of genetic modification.
The New Zealand government has also commissioned an independent report on the economic risks and opportunities from the release of GM organisms.
Where can I find more information?
More information is available from the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology website.
Last updated: 17 September 2007
