Genetically modified cows were born with ovaries that grew so large they caused ruptures and killed the animals. [...] AgResearch’s applied technologies group manager, Dr Jimmy Suttie, said he did not see the deaths as a ”big deal”, and they were part of the learning process for scientists.

”AgResearch and ERMA are already abusing public process by beginning genetically engineered (GE) goat field trials in the open environment at Ruakura. This follows a series of applications and decisions aimed at thwarting GE Free NZ and its supporters who want applications to be assessed on a case by case basis as government legislation intended,” said Soil & Health Association of NZ spokesperson Steffan Browning.

The main benefactor of the Environmental Risk Management Authority’s (ERMA) decision to allow the application by Crown Research Institute AgResearch a carte blanche application to genetically engineer (GE) cattle, sheep and goats using a huge range of E.coli bacteria, human, mouse, sheep, goats, cattle, and viruses and other material is the United States biotech company GTC Biotherapeutics (GTC), an off shoot of Genzyme Corporation, according to the Soil & Health Association.

AgResearch has been granted approval to continue genetic engineering research on goats, sheep and cattle, using human DNA, to produce human therapeutic proteins in milk. The state-owned science company received approval from the Environmental Risk Management Authority (Erma) to genetically modify bacterial and mammalian cells, mice, goats, sheep and cattle at its Ruakura facility, near Hamilton. Controls were imposed to prevent animal products from reaching the food chain.

The replacement enzymes are currently made by genetic modification of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, but may one day come from the milk of carefully modified New Zealand cows, which is why Forman has made a submission in support of AgResearch’s application in March to develop genetically modified goats, sheep and cows to produce human therapeutic proteins.

”Springbok Special Maize Meal” is being sold in Foodtown supermarkets in the specialist section of the stores targetted at South African migrants. The Springbok GM maize is believed to be only the third labelled GM product identified in New Zealand (the others being Stagg’s Chilli Beans, and ProNutro cereal, also from South Africa)

AgResearch is pleased it can get on with its application to import and use genetically modified animals and embryos. The Court of Appeal has overturned a decision by the High Court not to allow the Environmental Risk Management Authority to consider the application. There had been concerns ERMA would not be able to make an informed decision on the application because it’s too vague.

Agricultural scientists genetically engineering clover and ryegrass to feed sheep and cattle are ”softening up” the public for an application to trial GE pastures on New Zealand farms, says a lobbyist critical of some uses of the technology.

Organic farmers fear ”brand New Zealand” will be damaged if plans proceed to expand the range of genetically modified animals. Farmers and exporters told a panel deciding whether to allow Agresearch to put human genes into goats, sheep and cows that overseas customers might stop buying New Zealand products if there were further trials.

A proposal to put human genes into goats, sheep and cows to try to get the animals to make human proteins in their milk will be in the public spotlight next week. Submitters will have Monday and Tuesday to tell the Environmental Risk Management Authority what they think of plans by AgResearch to breed and keep genetically modified animals at its Ruakura research facility, near Hamilton.