Biosafety considerations of open air genetic engineering. An analysis of the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority’s reasons for not classifying organisms treated with double-stranded RNA as genetically modified or new organisms

Abstract

The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) issued a Decision that makes the use of externally applied double-stranded (ds)RNA molecules on eukaryotic cells or organisms technically out of scope of legislation on new organisms, because in its view the treatment does not create new or genetically modified organisms. The Decision rests on the EPA’s conclusion that dsRNA is not heritable and therefore treatments using dsRNA do not modify genes or other genetic material. I found from an independent review of the literature on the topic that each of the major scientific justifications relied upon by the EPA to conclude that exposures to exogenous sources of dsRNA were out of legislative scope was based on either an inaccurate interpretation or failure to consult the research literature on all types of eukaryotes. The Decision also has not taken into account the unique eukaryotic biodiversity of the country. The safe use of RNA-based technology holds promise for addressing complex and persistent challenges in public health, agriculture and conservation. However, the EPA removed regulatory oversight that could prevent the accidental release of viral genes or genomes by failing to restrict the source or means of modifying the dsRNA.