New rules for genetic biologists

Press, 9 June 1978, Page 6

New rules for genetic biologists

l 'NZPA London The British Government a has announced new rules - aimed at tightening up safe||ty checks on genetic mani--ipulation. t. Genetic manipulation — -;the introduction of new matI erial into existing cells — is >|a growing international phe- - nomenon. In Britain alone last year ) 100 experiments in the new . area from 27 centres were . voluntarily notified and the 5 number is expected to inr crease. f But from August 1 all those who intend to carry t out experiments in genetic z manipulation will have to t notify the Government’s j Health and Safety Executive. r Everybody who carries out such experiments will J have to take care to avoid . risks to the health and safe|ty of others, the Health and I Safety Commission says, ji One of the country’s leadJ i ing geneticists, Professor J; John Fincham of Edinburgh j! University, said: “One is . dealing with the unknown and completely unexpected i , properties.” Professor Fincham said the chances of an accident, ! ! however, were “pretty re-! mote.” Dr John Morris, the secre-; tary of the Genetic Manipu-! lation Advisory Group, a special body set up in 1976 by the Department of Educa- ; tion and Science to advise Jon safety in such experiments, said, “there’s 1 been a modest revolution in 1 genetic manipulation. It can lead to a wider number of ' benefits including the cheap- ■ er production of drugs such • as insulin and possibly a } species of plants such as ■ wheat which can grow without any artificial fertiliser."