Options to strengthen gene technology risk management 

^{*Exemptions under the EU proposal would only apply to plants (not animals and microorganisms), while under the new English regulations they only apply to plants and animals (not microorganisms). Modified from MBIE figure.}

In response to a request from some MPs, the Commissioner has provided comment on options to enhance trust and confidence in the gene-technology regulatory regime.

If Parliament wants to reduce the level of risk gene technology provides, it could consider making changes to the Bill along the following lines:  

1. Ensure closer alignment between New Zealand’s regime and other international regimes. New Zealand’s system could become a middle ground between the Australia, European Union and United States systems.  
2. Ensure that all gene technologies that are to be released into the environment are risk assessed by the regulator before release or, for low-risk ones, are at the very least required to be registered with the regulator. There could be no (or severely limited) automatic exemptions for environmental release.  
3. Ensure greater independence of the regulator. The Australian system provides a potential model.  
4. Allow a wider range of people and entities to request reviews of the regulator’s decisions and introduce a civil liability regime.  

Read the full commentary here.