30 Jul 2012

Import of GM plant approved

2:06 pm on 30 July 2012

The Environmental Protection Authority has approved two applications by a group of New Zealand universities, Crown Research Institutes and independent research organisations to import and use a genetically modified plant for teaching and research.

Arabidopsis thaliana, also known as Thale cress, is a small flowering plant used in New Zealand and worldwide to study plant biology and genetics.

GE New Zealand oppposed the application, questioning the adequacy of conditions for keeping the plant in containment .