The new National-led government has signalled big changes to how the country navigates and regulates gene editing technologies, with new legislation due by the end of 2024.
New Zealand has been described as having one of the most restrictive systems in the world when it comes to gene editing, and some experts say we are missing out on billions of dollars in industry, as well as the products that could cut our climate emissions and safeguard our crops for the future.
But when it comes to making changes to the world around us, is it a case of we don't know what we don't know?
Revel Drummond is a scientist at crown research entity Plant and Food Research in Auckland, and has recently returned from international meetings with regulators in America, Canada and Australia.
He joins Emile Donovan.
Revel Drummond is a molecular biologist with Plant and Food Research New Zealand. Photo: Supplied
