Weekly SOS: Are We Ready for the Risks of Unlabeled Genetic Technology?

Picture this: you’re digging into a plate of apple crumble, but you have no idea if the apples are GM-free.

They look like apples, taste like apples, but when you baked the pie, these apples were four times the size of the ones you remember from childhood.

Is it your nostalgic imagination playing tricks on you, or could it be because the government passed a bill allowing GM foods to be grown in NZ without any requirement to label them?

Later, you get a stomach ache. Was it from overindulging, or could those oversized, genetically modified apples be to blame? You reach for some stomach relief meds—but wait, could they also contain GM ingredients?

And so the cycle continues. Sounds far-fetched? Not if the Gene Tech Bill passes. This could be the reality we wake up to. Let’s act now to protect our food, our health, and our future!

New Zealand is at a critical juncture with the introduction of the Gene Tech Bill. Feedback needs to be in by February 17, we need to act swiftly. The rush of this bill through our government is another example of parliament choosing industry over public health. This legislation raises profound questions about ethics, safety, and people’s choice to know what is going into their bodies.

At NZDSOS, we believe New Zealanders want balanced, relevant information to make informed decisions about the future of their health and our environment. The Gene Tech Bill changes that. All we have known as we grew up—our GE-free food, medicine, and the ecosystems we depend on—will be compromised.

Entering a new era – What is the Gene Tech Bill?

The Bill seeks to allow genetic editing and modification technologies to proliferate without labelling in our food and medicine. While Judith Collins and other MPs most likely take their marching orders from key industry players to tout its supposed benefits the lack of robust public consultation, scientific investigation and transparent safeguards raises significant concerns.

To see more explanation on the specific parts of the Bill we are concerned with the most, and a sample statement to the Health Select Committee, head here.

Our Key Concerns

1. GMOs will be mandatorily approved

Who is holding the reins? As written, the bill places disproportionate power in the hands of private corporations and governmental bodies, with limited input from independent experts or the public. This centralisation of control could lead to decisions made in the interest of profits, not the people of New Zealand.

2. Lack of long-term safety studies

3. Unintended consequence

Genetic modifications to crops and livestock might offer ease for industry but could disrupt ecosystems in ways we have not considered or seen yet. What happens when modified genes spread beyond controlled environments? Have we fully considered the risks of biodiversity loss and ecological imbalance?

4. GMO food and medicine won’t be labelled

The ethical implications of gene editing go beyond science—they touch on the very fabric of our society. Not only are we as consumers denied choice but Are we ready to navigate the moral dilemmas that arise from editing human embryos or creating genetically modified organisms?

Most importantly, have you, the public, been given a chance to engage in these discussions?

Why It Matters to You

The Bill seeks to allow genetic editing and modification technologies to proliferate without labelling in our food and medicine. While Judith Collins and other MPs most likely take their marching orders from key industry players to tout its supposed benefits the lack of robust public consultation, scientific investigation and transparent safeguards raises significant concerns.

In case you missed it – Here’s what else we’ve been tracking this week:

Together, we can stand for a better tomorrow. Let’s ensure that all voices are heard in this conversation.

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Yours,

Anna Petley

On behalf of New Zealand Doctors Speaking Out With Science (NZDSOS)

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