Biotechnology Research Roadmap - Science and Innovation

3.4 A unique environment
New Zealand is an island nation with a very high level
of endemic biodiversity. Evolution through a long
period of isolation created unique flora and fauna.
This isolation and slow evolution means that our
native plants and animals are particularly vulnerable to
introduced species. 38
New Zealand also faces increasing environmental
sustainability challenges. Not least, climate change and
methane emissions from ruminants accounting for 49%
of our greenhouse gas emissions. Nitrogen run-off from
intensive dairying practices has also had a profoundly
negative impact on the health of inland waterways.
Increasingly, New Zealand’s international reputation
and trade opportunities also depend on the ability to
maintain a high quality natural environment. This
extends to ensuring that primary industry develops in
an environmentally sustainable fashion.
Biotechnology research has key roles to play in
helping us characterise and protect New Zealand’s
indigenous genetic heritage, in the provision of tools
to identify biosecurity threats before they encroach
on our borders, and through research to help counter
the environmental impacts of farming in areas such as
ruminant biology and nitrogen fixing in pasture.
However, environmental biotechnology research is
more than just managing risk; there are opportunities
as well. These include the environmental and
economic opportunities arising from developing
techniques like the bioremediation of pollutants,
lowering inputs into farming systems, leveraging bioprospecting
opportunities from New Zealand’s marine
or terrestrial environments, and deriving economic
value from biosecurity expertise.
3.5 Societal values
Each nation holds a different set of values which
influence views about emerging technologies.
New Zealand is no exception. For example, New
Zealanders place a high degree of importance on
environmental issues. The New Zealand Values
Survey 39 notes that New Zealanders prioritise the
environment over economic growth.
Research undertaken to gauge the acceptability of
biotechnologies to New Zealanders indicates that,
similar to overseas findings, the issue is a complex one.
Attitudes are shaped by a range of factors including
world view, spiritual beliefs and values. One size does
not fit all; different types of biotechnologies and end
uses elicit different responses. For example, research
has indicated that the use of genetic modification to fix
environmental problems is more acceptable to New
Zealanders than its use in agriculture. 40
New Zealand’s unique cultural mix also means that
different groups within society can hold different sets
of values about different biotechnologies. For example,
research undertaken on Māori views on genetically
modified organisms found that in general participants
thought the movement of genes between different
species resulting in the “mixing” of mauri 41 was
detrimental. 42
The government has responded to this uncertain
environment with more open styles of governance
for biotechnology than has previously been the case
around emerging science and technology. This has
led to the establishment of the Bioethics Council to
ensure that the use of biotechnology has regard for
New Zealanders’ values; and the Dialogue Fund, a
pilot fund to trial programmes to engage communities
in discussion over science and technology related
issues that are, or may become, a cause of tension
between science and society.
Social research also has a very important role to play
to help us understand how New Zealanders respond to
emerging biotechnologies.
38
The New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy (2000)
39
Massey University, Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (2005), The New Zealand Values Study
40
Cook, Andrew J et al. (2004), New Zealand Public Acceptance of Biotechnology, p. xiii
41
Mauri can be defi ned as the essential life force, the spiritual power and distinctiveness that enables each thing to exist as itself
42
Roberts, Mere (2005), Walking backwards into the future: Maori views on genetically modifi ed organisms
Roadmaps for Science : biotechnology research
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