PSRG members were concerned about the possible effects these crops could have on the environment and, through the introduction of new foods into the food-chain, the impact on human health. Members believe that introducing GE into the food chain and the environment is highly premature, as safety testing has not been adequately carried out. With increasing incidence of cancer and related diseases, we feel that the reliance on toxic chemical based agriculture should be phased out. We support organic, sustainable agriculture as the preferred path for New Zealand. Following countries such as Denmark in not only seeing the trade advantages, but as a protection of New Zealand's biodiversity.
Biotechnology goes hand in hand with intensive monoculture, using single crops grown in huge fields.
We are already massively over-dependent on a fraction of the world's available species. Genetically engineered and trans-nationally controlled seeds will reduce this active stock even further.