New Zealanders Suspicious Of Genetic Engineering

Campaigners from the Nelson Environment Centre who have been touring the country for nearly two months are now absolutely sure that New Zealanders don't want genetic engineering involved in their food supply. There is also a definite general suspicion of the whole biotechnology industry.

Campaign co-ordinator Ms Willi Borst says that there has been an overwhelmingly positive response to their efforts to raise awareness and understanding of genetic engineering. "People everywhere are wanting to know what the process of genetic engineering involves and what the implications of it are."

The campaign wound up with the big black and flourescent orange bus in Upper Hutt yesterday.

The tour started in Nelson on September 20. Fifteen cities and towns were visited in the South Island before starting the North Island leg in mid October. Twenty one North Island communities have been visited.

Ms Borst says that their main message is based on encouraging people to make the most of the power they have as consumers. "Feeling uneasy about genetic engineering will not be enough to ensure that our food stays free of it - you have to let supermarkets, food manufacturers and government agenc ies know how you feel."

Ends.

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