New Zealand should relax biotech laws, researchers say

Industry and Crown Research Institute representatives say current rules are outdated

A National Party plan to relax New Zealand’s laws on genetic technologies could lead to a “simplified” and “consistent” system, leading researchers have said.

Responding to the National Party’s policy on biotechnology, scientists welcomed the prospect of change. The policy promises to end the “effective ban” on genetically engineered and modified organisms in New Zealand and to streamline other biotechnology trials.