Maori Party co-leader, Tariana Turia, said today that she was horrified to learn that at the meeting of an advisory body to the UN Convention on Biological diversity taking place in Bangkok, New Zealand has supported the proposal from Canada to overturn the international moratorium on the use of 'Terminator Technology'. - item 2

"It's like New Zealand supporting nuclear testing in the atmosphere on a case by case basis and forcing it on the rest of the world."

"If the Minister is so blinded by her obsession with forcing this particular scientific experiment on the international community, she must step down."
- item 1

1.Minister Must Reject Unethical Research or Resign
2.Maori Party appalled at proposal from New Zealand to support Terminator Technology
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1.Minister Must Reject Unethical Research or Resign
Press Release: GE Free NZ, 14 February 2005
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0502/S00043.htm

Comments from The Minister of the Environment supporting research on Terminator technology shows the New Zealand government is willing to force its moral values on the rest of the world and lacks an ethical framework for its policy. At the same time the Minister's excuses that Terminator should proceed "case by case" shows she and her advisors have become removed from civil societal values that the rest of the international community holds.

GE Free NZ (in food and environment) are calling on the Minister to unequivocally support international agreement for a moratorium on trials of Terminator genes in food. If the Minister cannot support a moratorium on Terminator seeds and show respect for the international community she must resign.

Marian Hobbs claims the international community's call for the ethics of Terminator research to be discussed before allowing trials are "premature". On the contrary: it is her attempt to push ahead with such trials that are premature. She has seriously misjudged the depth of local and international concern on this issue .

"It's like New Zealand supporting nuclear testing in the atmosphere on a case by case basis and forcing it on the rest of the world," says Jon Carapiet of GE Free New Zealand in food and environment. New Zealand will be seen as 'wreckers' at the conference in Bangkok where our representatives were involved in the Canadian-led plan to scupper the agreement for a moratorium which will allow the ethical and social threats of Terminator seeds- especially in food - to be assessed.

The New Zealand government must expect widespread international protest for our stance at the conference even though the attempt appears to have stalled.

"The Terminator seed concept raised terror in the public consciousness when proposed in the 1990's and even the biotechnology industry said it would stop," says Mr. Carapiet. Now a New Zealand Minister is foisting her own inadequate moral judgements on the rest of the world."

GE Free NZ has also called on the Prime Minister and other cabinet-members to intervene to ensure New Zealand respects international efforts to understand the social, cultural and ethical issues of the Terminator gene before the research proceeds.

If the Minister is so blinded by her obsession with forcing this particular scientific experiment on the international community, she must step down.

"Humanity has the right to pause at the threshold and ask the big questions - not just blunder in," says Mr Carapiet.

REFERENCE: The Ministers Press Statement:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.cfm?Document
Hon Marian Hobbs 10 February 2005
NZ supports case-by-case assessment
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2.Maori Party appalled at proposal from New Zealand to support Terminator Technology
Press Release: The Maori Party, 11 February 2005
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00270.htm

Maori Party co-leader, Tariana Turia, said today that she was horrified to learn that at the meeting of an advisory body to the UN Convention on Biological diversity taking place in Bangkok, New Zealand has supported the proposal from Canada to overturn the international moratorium on the use of 'Terminator Technology'.

A 'terminator' gene is genetically modified - produced by a company - isolated and then inserted into the DNA of the target plant. This allows GE manufacturers to effectively control and manage all aspects of the plant.

'Terminator' genes make sterile seeds, which will not grow. Farmers cannot 'save' seeds, but each year, must buy new seeds from the company. Other systems involve the seed being inactive, until the farmer buys a chemical from the company which is then sprayed onto the seed.

Mrs Turia noted:

Many New Zealanders have voiced their concerns about manufacturers 'playing God', seeing an intervention such as terminator technology as morally repugnant.

"Tangata whenua have told us, consistently, that when the balanced cycle is interfered with through genetic manipulation, it will ultimately cause an imbalance, and in doing so, the link between our tikanga and the natural world will be affected".

"I would hope those representing us at the Bangkok forum will also seriously consider the obligations placed on the Government by the Treaty of Waitangi in GM decision-making. Given that the Treaty sets out relationship for 'power-sharing' with Government, it will be necessary to ensure that Maori views are sought and reflected before any decisions of a terminator nature are made".

ENDS