Experts Arrive To Give Evidence

Four expert witnesses from overseas will give evidence to the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification this week.

Dr Martina McGloughlin from the University of California in Davis will give evidence about the global impacts and opportunities of genetic modification, in particular for developing countries; Julian Morris from the Institute of Economic Affairs in London will give evidence about risk assessment and the precautionary principle, while Professor Gary Comstock from the University of Iowa Bioethics programme will talk about ethical issues.

Apart from giving evidence all three will give free public lectures on Tuesday 21 November at the Urban Crank Theatrette in the BP Building, 20 Customhouse Quay Wellington. The lecture session starts at 5.30 pm.

Dr Lynn Frewer of the Institute of Food Research from Norwich will also give evidence this week about public perceptions in Europe about genetic modification.

“New Zealanders must understand the international context within which we are discussing the issue of genetic modification and we believe it is vital we bring experts from overseas who have studied the questions and developed an informed view so we too can be informed,” the chairman of the New Zealand Life Sciences Network (Inc), Dr William Rolleston said today.

For further information, contact:

Dr William Rolleston Francis Wevers

Interim Chairman Executive Director

Phone 03 612 6688 Phone 04 916 0100

Mobile 025 2460634 Mobile 021 916010

Date: Sunday, 19 November 2000

Francis Wevers Executive Director NZ Life Sciences Network (Inc) PO Box 715, Wellington, New Zealand Ph +64 4 9160100 Mobile 021 916010 Fax + 64 4 4731081 Email fwevers@lifesciencenz.com Website www.lifesciencenz.com

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