Economic Threat From "PPL" GM Sheep. New Zealand's GE Free Agricultural Economy Threatened From GE Trials And Releases.

As PPL's shares tumbled to a record low due to failing clinical trials of emphysema drugs produced by GE animals in NewZealand, pharmaceutical drug companies are lining up for government backing.

Novartis, Swiss based pharmaceutical giant stated last week that big drug companies were constantly scouring the world for research partners, and are impressed with New Zealand, and will be looking to produce GE drugs and perform clinical trials in New Zealand. A representative stated "We look round the world to find the smartest people that we can work with."

Hodgson, Minister of Science, Research and Technology obviously impressed by these sentiments, responded by putting $100 million of public money into a Venture Investment Fund to support these controversial technologies, whilst ignoring global market trends; and organic industries and environment groups requests for sensible funding for proven industries. There is a growing concern that taxpayer's money is being used to subsidise risky business ventures that threaten to wreck the integrity of our main dollar earners like tourism and primary production. Only now are GE liability issues coming under scrutiny.

'More trials like PPL's in a country where 'the land is cheap and regulations lax'( UK Sunday Times 9.1.2000) will lead to NZ becoming known as the GE lab of the South Pacific and irreversibly compromise the reknowned quality of our agricultural exports.' said a spokes person from GE Free NZ.

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