New Zealand views on biotech – introduction
New Zealanders have a wide range of opinions on modern biotechnology based on their ethical, cultural and spiritual perspectives.
New Zealand countryside
The word ‘plant’ encompasses a wide range of living organisms, all of which belong to the kingdom Plantae. The kingdom Plantae is vast, encompassing nearly 300,000 species.
Biotech in New Zealand
Biotechnology is a growing industry in New Zealand – one with the potential to provide jobs and innovative products. New Zealand is a world leader in agricultural biotech, and this is likely to be of particular importance to many of us. Find out more in the article Biotech in New Zealand.
Do New Zealanders accept biotechnology?
What does biotechnology have to offer?
Biotechnology gives scientists the ability to understand and do new things. What impact will this have on agriculture and human health?
This clip was produced in conjunction with NZBio.
What does biotechnology have to offer?
Biotechnology gives scientists the ability to understand and do new things. What impact will this have on agriculture and human health?
This clip was produced in conjunction with NZBio.
In New Zealand, people have a wide range of responses to different biotechnologies. In 2002 and 2003, Lincoln University’s Agricultural Economic Research Unit (AERU) collected data on public opinion of some specific examples of biotechnology practice. Find out more in the article Do New Zealanders accept biotechnology?
Biologists and the public
Biology address the nature of life and the nature of being human. This means it is important for biologists to discuss issues openly with the general public.
In this video, Sir Paul Nurse explains why he is concerned that biologists are becoming the modern-day equivalent of witch doctors - necessary but feared, important, but isolated from society.
Different views
The relationship of a person to a particular biotechnology gives both weight and shape to their opinion. For instance, farmers and consumers may have quite different perspectives on genetically modified (GM) food. Find out more in the articles Economic impacts of GM crops and GM food and New Zealand consumers.
Who’s regulating biotech?
With so much innovation and excitement in this area, it’s easy to imagine scientists getting carried away and pushing boundaries in ways the public might be uncomfortable with. In order to prevent this from happening, biotechnology is carefully monitored and regulated in New Zealand.
How is biotechnology regulated and governed in New Zealand?
The New Zealand Government has been proactive in developing a framework controlling what is and is not allowed in biotechnology research. Representatives from the biotechnology industry explain.
This clip was developed in conjunction with NZBio.
Biotechnology and the New Zealand public
Representatives from NZBio and Ministry of Research, Science & Technology think it is important that public communities are involved in the dialogue.
This clip was produced in conjunction with NZBio.
Biotechnology and the New Zealand public
Representatives from NZBio and Ministry of Research, Science & Technology think it is important that public communities are involved in the dialogue.
This clip was produced in conjunction with NZBio.
The future of New Zealand biotech
The future of biotechnology depends upon research and development and also on the views and needs of New Zealanders. These four videos below look at how biotechnology has the potential to create better healthcare, improved foods, better and safer agriculture, and cleaner industrial processing.
