Chimera Attends Royal Commission Hearing

Chimera Attends Royal Commission Hearing

MEDIA RELEASE 14th February 2001

CHIMERA (Transgenic Animal) Attends ROYAL COMMISSION Hearing

Wednesday 14th February 2001. SAFE (Save Animals From Exploitation) Activists will hold a demonstation outside the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification hearing at the District Court in Auckland tomorrow from 1pm till 2pm. Joining them will be a sombre warning of the future for GE animals in the shape of a giant chimera - a composite creature made up of parts of six different animals.

SAFE will be taking part in the Royal Commission's hearing as an Interested Person, after initially battling for inclusion in the process as the only organisation representing the rights of animals. SAFE's submission and hearing is expected to play an influential role at the Royal Commission, bringing up issues that have largely been ignored by other Interested Persons.

"SAFE is challenging the Royal Commission and the public to consider serious ethical objections to the genetic engineering of animals. Our submission offers a number of strong options to the Royal Commission, including that there be an outright ban on the genetic engineering of animals in New Zealand."said Gary Reese, SAFE's National Campaigns Director, who will be making SAFE's opening presentation at their hearing tomorrow.

"SAFE's witnesses for the hearing include Joyce D'Silva, the Director of Compassion in World Farming, Europe and the UK's leading organisation campaigning on farm animal welfare. Professor Alan Holland, from Lancaster University in the U.K., a leading ethicist on the Genetic Engineering of animals and a member of the U.K. Government Ethics Committee. Whether we allow the Genetic Engineering of other sentient beings is one of the most significant ethical dilemas facing the human race. It is also a precurser to allowing the genetic engineering of humans. " said Gary Reese.

Photo Opportunity The SAFE Chimera will be outside the District Court in Albert Street, Auckland Central between 1pm and 2pm Thrusday 15th February. SAFE Activists will also be distributing information to the public and displaying two large banners.

The SAFE hearing is in the Tribunals Division, Level 8, District Court building from 2pm to 5pm Thursday 15th Feb. and from 9.30am to 11am on Friday 16th Feb.

Interview Opportunity Joyce D'Silva the Director of Compassion in World Farming will be at the demonstration and available for media interviews.

Contact

Gary Reese (09)309 7738 / 025 2862566 National Campaigns Director - SAFE Auckland Office

ENDS

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