GMW: Gene Transfer Found in Soil at GM Cattle Site

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GMW: Gene Transfer Found in Soil at GM Cattle Site

" GM WATCH " <info

Sat, 3 Sep 2005 18:33:21 +0100

 

 

 

 

 

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EXCERPT: The latest findings have shown that bacterial populations

analysed from local soil samples tested positive for the anti-biotic

resistant genes puromycin and kanamycin.

 

The offal pit was also tested and found to have different bacterial

communities from the surrounding soil, with the offal pit soil having a

higher proportion of resistant bacteria. However the discovery of a high

population in the natural soils away from the pits indicates that the

transgenes are being spread around the property.

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Gene Transfer Found in Soil at GE Cattle Site

GE free New Zealand

Press Release

 

AgResearch soil tests have found that 'horizontal gene transfer' has

occurred with soil micro-organisms in land where transgeneic cattle have

been grazing.

 

The discovery - of 'HGT'- once claimed by some scientists to be

virtually impossible, raises serious issues for ERMA and MAF given the

significance of the genetic transfer is hard to quantify but could put

at risk

the integrity of soil on which primary production in New Zealand is

reliant.

 

AgResearch has grazed a herd of Transgenic cattle on 100 acres of land

in Hamilton for the last 6 years. These animals are part of the " Human

Cow " court case, where it was successfully argued that ERMA did not

properly assess the risks associated with the experiment. After the case

ERMA placed a requirement for monitoring of the offal pits and land for

possible HGT.

 

The latest findings have shown that bacterial populations analysed from

local soil samples tested positive for the anti-biotic resistant genes

puromycin and kanamycin.

 

The offal pit was also tested and found to have different bacterial

communities from the surrounding soil, with the offal pit soil having a

higher proportion of resistant bacteria. However the discovery of a high

population in the natural soils away from the pits indicates that the

transgenes are being spread around the property.

 

The findings raise serious concerns about the ability for these

bacteria to mutate with the potential to create virulent disease which is

antibiotic resistant.

 

ERMA and MAF have consistently rejected warnings from independent

scientists and have argued that their scientific experts say transgenes

could not survive in the soil under natural conditions. However these

new

finding mean that they should revisit their assumptions and immediately

increase quarantine at all Transgenic sites.

 

GE Free NZ in food and environment believe MAF and ERMA should not

allow any new transgenic animals, or the relocation of conventional

animals onto the site, until the full impact of the HGT and anti-biotic

resistance is properly researched and understood.

 

Further, the findings prove that ERMA have been negligent in refusing

to require testing of the soil at the PPL Whakamaru site where the

failed PPL transgenic sheep grazed over 500 acres for 9 years. ERMA have

been repeatedly warned to monitor for the spread of transgenes and

possible mutations at the site.

 

" The PPL case involved ERMA relying on the assurances of a commercial

company which then went into receivership rather than requiring a bond

to finance scientific research as requested by community and

environmental groups " , says Claire Bleakley from GE Free NZ in food and

environment..

 

" We now have the potential for an organism to recombine or mutate into

a potentially virulent disease but with no monitoring or testing done

on the site to mitigate against the risk, " she says.

 

ERMA is failing in its public duty as it has sat on this information

for 8 months and done nothing to address this potentially disastrous

situation.

 

" It is nothing short of gross negligence that ERMA have not looked at

the AgResearch information and recognised the implications for the PPL

site where grazing GE animals have run without any scientific

investigation into the impact on the soil, " says Claire Bleakley.

 

GE Free NZ in food and environment are calling for the establishment of

an independent Biotechnology Commission - something also proposed by

the Royal Commission on GM, but rejected by the government. The

Commission must work independently of industry-stooges now revealed to

have been

inept at reading reports and who have failed to act on findings that

have massive implications for our economy and the environment.

 

ENDS:

 

Claire Bleakley (06) 3089842

Jon Carapiet 0210 507 681

 

references:

Annual Report to ERMA 2004 p25.

 

 

 

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