Campaigners are fighting to protect New Zealand's clean, green image from
scientists who experiment by putting human genes into cows.
AgResearch wants approval to carry on its transgenic research and go even
further by adding genes to eleven other species.

The idea is to produce proteins in their milk that could treat human
illness.

Eight years later, the tests are still going on, but the scientists are
running out of time. Approval for their work ends in November.

They want it renewed, but GE-free campaigners say the country's green
reputation is at stake.

"They don't even know whether what they are trying to do is going to be any
use of not at the end of it," says Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons.

Security is tough at the cows' home in Hamilton. As they inspect their
visitors, cameras keep a close watch above double electric fences, to keep
the cows in and intruders out.

Also of concern is the transgene escaping into the environment.

"The transgene, not just any gene, the transgene would have to leave the
cattle, go into the soil, be picked up by bacteria and go elsewhere," says
Dr Jimmy Suttie, AgResearch general manager.

"We're talking about infinitesimally small chances of that happening."

Not only do the staff want to continue their work, they want to extend it to
11 other species, including goats, sheep, horses and possums.

"Sometimes you may only need small quantities of the product, so it's no
good doing it on cows, it's better to be done on goats or sheep," says Vish
Vishwanath, AgResearch section manager.

They have already created cows that produce a protein that could treat
multiple sclerosis. Other future therapies include cancer medicines,
including one to replace herceptin.

But they are still some way off commercial production, and it would require
them to spread their work elsewhere in the country.

It is not a perfected technology and it is going to take anything from
another two years to, more likely, five years of work before they are ready
to produce a protein that can treat sick people.

But if and when they do, it could be worth millions of dollars to New
Zealand.
www.checkbiotech.org