$5M sought for genetic engineering

Press, 26 April 1984, Page 12

$5M sought for genetic engineering

PA Auckland New Zealand would be “simple-minded and shortsighted” if it did not inject an extra $4 million of $5 million a year into genetic engineering, said an American researcher.

“If you do not, you will find yourself exporting meat and wool for ever,” said Dr Edward Rail, the director of the division of intramural research for the National Insitutues of Health in Maryland, who is in New Zealand as a guest of the Medical Research Council. The revolution in biomedical research was enormous, and more exciting than even the splitting of the atom, he said.

Genetic engineering had led to the discovery of important vaccines, and the

development of a substitute for human insulisn.

Only a handful of New Zealanders were working in the field, he said.

Dr Rail spoke to the Minister of Health, Mr Malcolm, about his suggestions and said Mr Malcolm asked where the money would come from to pay for the research.

“Take some away from agriculture — take some away from anything,” said Dr Rail.

“In five or 10 years you are going to be in worse shape if you do not do it, because you will have to import all these new drugs from overseas.” He said these would include drugs to “make animals bigger, better, healthier, and tastier,” and prevent disease.