Watch the rest of the What if…? videos on genomics in Aotearoa here.
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When you stop to think about it, it’s crazy that all the wildly different living things on the planet are described by the same basic code.
Some microbes use RNA. Many living things use DNA. But the underlying system is the same – a long string of bases or letters. Some of these write out genes – the instructions to make machinery for a cell, and ultimately an entire organism.
It’s pretty wild.
And as science, technology, and computing power advance, we understand more about how this complex coding system works – how we can read it, how we can use it, and even how we can modify it.
Applying genomics to New Zealand problems
From cancer detection and treatment, to New Zealand’s pandemic response, to conservation and water quality monitoring, genomics research (the study of DNA and genes) is being applied to many of our pressing problems.
In 2018, the kākāpō became the first species in the world to have its entire population’s genomes sequenced – around 150 birds.
The population had hit a low of 51 individuals in 1995, and inbreeding was a real issue. The aim of the sequencing project was to help conservationists manage their breeding, to give the best chance of hatching success.
Genomics Aotearoa was one of the key collaborators on the kākāpō genome sequencing project. A research platform for genomics and bioinformatics, it’s also involved in building researchers’ capabilities in new techniques.
Which may be important for the future of Aotearoa in this space.
Close monitoring of kākāpō genetics is important for ensuring the critically endangered parrot has the best chance of survival. Photo: Aotearoa Science Agency
The proposed new gene technology regulations
“Turning mould into gold” is what one of Professor Emily Parker’s lab members dubs their research. Emily works at the Te Kāuru – Ferrier Research Institute at Victoria University of Wellington where her team are investigating genes that allow fungi to create medicinal compounds.
As part of this work, they genetically modify fungi in a contained lab environment.
But now Emily has a second hat. She’s on a half-time secondment to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) where she chairs a technical advisory group advising on the new gene technology regulations the government is proposing.
Professor Emily Parker. Photo: Gerry Keating / Victoria University of Wellington
The new system will be similar to the Australian model, but with a few tweaks, Emily explains. There will be a tiered system, with activities regulated differently depending on the risks to people and the environment.
Some modern gene editing techniques can make such small changes that they are indistinguishable from natural changes – it is proposed that these will be exempt from regulation.
Some low-risk activities, like most contained laboratory research, will be non-notifiable but regulated. Meaning they don’t need to notify the regulator, but they do need to follow rules about how and where the work happens.
The next risk tier up is notifiable, and then the highest is licensed – for genetic changes that might have more significant outcomes and risks. These will require full assessment and approval by the regulator.
Under current regulations, genetic modification does take place in New Zealand, but mostly in strictly contained laboratory settings. The limited releases that have been approved have all been in medical and veterinary areas – for vaccines or disease therapies, mostly for cancer clinical trials.
Many scientists, and the government, have argued that the restrictive nature of the current settings holds back research here, and stifles progress and opportunity.
The plan is for legislation to be brought before Parliament by the end of the year and to undergo a full select committee process in early 2025.
It’s been a new world, and a brand-new set of jargon, for Emily. She’s more used to being on the research side than the policy side. But she hopes that her advisory work will help both New Zealand researchers and the public.
Listen to the audio to learn more about current state of genetic modification in New Zealand, and the proposed plans for gene technology regulation.
Learn more:
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Watch the What if….? video series on genomics in Aotearoa.
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Listen to the recent episode of The Detail on Modifying our gene modification laws.
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Previous Our Changing World episodes have investigated the future of genomic medicine in Aotearoa and the use of genome sequencing during the pandemic.
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Visit the gene technology regulation page on the MBIE website to learn more about the proposed regulations, and learn more about gene editing on the Royal Society webpage.
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Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter – our next issue will have the backstory to the gene editing tool CRISPR/Cas9.
