WELLINGTON, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Although New Zealand takes a precautionary approach, advancements in gene editing are not prohibited, the country's Environment Minister David Parker said on Tuesday.
The recently released papers by the Royal Society Te Aparangi, which is an independent, national academy of science, said there are considerable benefits that gene editing can bring to people's lives, particularly in health, Parker said in a statement.
The provisions governing gene editing, including genetically modified organisms (GMOs), were amended in 2003 in line with the government's overall policy of proceeding with caution while preserving opportunities, Parker said.
"I'm aware there are instances where gene editing techniques could be applied to improve the lives of New Zealanders," he said, adding that it has been used in clinical trials for the treatment of liver and kidney cancer.
The recommendation to clarify conflicting or inconsistent definitions across the regulatory framework will be considered, the minister said.
