Deadline – Speak Out Against the NZ Gene Technology Bill

Mass Biological Intervention Without Proven Safety

The Gene Technology Bill prioritises deregulation and fast-tracking GMO technologies into our everyday lives. However, this approach overlooks critical gaps in scientific understanding and accountability, exposing New Zealanders to unknown health risks while undermining public trust.

This is a hugely complex bill and it is being rushed through parliament. There is no need for such haste and a number of MPs who commented at the first reading suggested that far wider consultation should have occurred before the bill got to the health committee. Most who commented were supportive of the perceived, potential medical benefits indicating that there is still a need for further education and understanding about the harms caused by the mRNA injections, and the huge risks associated with further ones.

We are facing genetically modified organisms in our food and our medicines without labelling. Once GMO products are released, they will be irretrievable and will be in our environment forever, infiltrating air, food, water, soil and us. The genie will be out of the bottle never to be put back in.

Scientific Uncertainty and Bias in GMO Research

The science supporting the safety of GMOs is far from comprehensive—despite claims otherwise. Research repeatedly highlights the health risks of genetically modified organisms, yet independent studies face dismissal and hostility, while industry-funded conclusions are given undue weight.

One has to ask, if GMOs are entirely safe, why is it so difficult for independent scientists to investigate them openly?

Examples of this disparity include:

These studies and the controversy they caused showcase an alarming double standard in the GMO debate.

Unethical Removal of Labelling

The Gene Technology Bill’s elimination of mandatory GMO labelling represents a deliberate attempt to hide what will be in our food supply and medicine. This mirrors industry tactics used internationally, where companies aggressively fight labelling because they know consumers reject GMO products when given the choice.

The bill would strip away New Zealanders’ fundamental right to know what they’re feeding their families, turning us into unwitting test subjects in a massive genetic experiment. Just as the Pusztai and Séralini studies faced suppression when they revealed health dangers, this labelling ban aims to prevent the public from making informed choices or tracking health impacts.

History shows that once GMOs enter the food chain unlabelled, proving their connection to emerging health problems becomes nearly impossible – exactly as industry intends. This bill isn’t about health — it’s about industry and profits. Our growing organics industry will be under threat and we will no longer be the proud GE Free NZ. We are likely to see many products containing unlabelled GE ingredients.

Oversight and Sovereignty at Risk

The Gene Technology Bill compromises New Zealand’s regulatory sovereignty by prioritising foreign approvals over robust local assessments. It enforces automatic authorisation of GMOs if approved by two overseas regulators, ignoring New Zealand’s unique environmental and public health contexts. Even more concerning is the provision for emergency authorisations, which could pave the way for hasty GMO approvals during crises—reminiscent of the expedited rollout of the experimental c-19 vaccines. These fast-tracked processes bypass meticulous domestic scrutiny, heightening the risk of unforeseen consequences for public health, safety, and the environment.

By downplaying the need for comprehensive local evaluations and disregarding the precautionary principle, the bill threatens the health of New Zealanders while yet again decreasing public confidence in New Zealand’s commitment to high safety standards. Transparent decision-making, open debate and strong, independent oversight are imperative to safeguard the wellbeing of all New Zealanders and to ensure accountability in the regulation of gene technologies.

Learning from Recent History

The past five years have shown the devastating consequences of insufficient biotech regulation. The experimental modRNA technologies used in the c-19 pandemic injections highlighted how quickly and extensively technologies can fail and cause harm when not thoroughly tested and vetted. Instead of applying lessons from this experience, the current bill doubles down on deregulation, leaving public health at high risk.

We strongly oppose a reckless rush towards GMO technology. New Zealand deserves legislation built on well-measured policies based on the precautionary principle which preserves and prioritises health, safety, and informed consent.

Act Now to Protect Public Health

This legislation is too significant to rush through without robust debate. Health professionals have an obligation to advocate for strict accountability and independently verified, peer-reviewed science – at NZDSOS we are committed to these principles. Until these safety thresholds are met, we believe that New Zealanders should oppose the current permissive direction of this legislation.

Submit feedback to the Gene Technology Bill Submission Page before 17 February 2025. Demand evidence-based policies, transparency, and scientifically rigorous safeguards. Together, we can prevent poorly regulated biological experiments from jeopardising New Zealand’s health and future. Take action today.