Nats Don't Have A Clue About 'The Substance Of Science'

Green Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons today said she was horrified that National's Research Science and Technology spokesperson Maurice Williamson has displayed such ignorance on genetic engineering processes.

In a press statement today Mr Williamson expressed disappointment that 'cows injected with a synthetic human protein' were found to be illegal.

"In actual fact what happens in this type of experiment is that a cow is dosed with massive amounts of hormone so that she produces excessive numbers of eggs. These eggs are then surgically extracted from the cow, which is then killed.

"These eggs are then genetically engineered with the human gene and grown into embryos in the laboratory before these are then surgically implanted into the wombs of surrogate mother cows," said Ms Fitzsimons.

"As the National Party's Research Science and Technology spokesperson, Mr Williamson should have been aware that the human protein is expressed in the milk of those calves when they grow up - it is not injected into anything."

Ms Fitzsimons said if Mr Williamson had any idea what he was commenting on he would be aware that the entire process is far more invasive and cruel for the animals involved than a simple injection.

"The National Party's call for all genetic engineering decisions to be based on 'the substance of science' is ridiculous given that their spokesperson demonstrates no understanding at all of the processes he is talking about."

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