REPORT: Genetic Modification Pest Control ...

Charting Perspectives of Genetic Modification for Pest Control in Aotearoa New Zealand

March 2023

Hemmerling L, Horowitz J, Kanli R, MacDonald L. 2023. Charting Perspectives of Genetic Modification for Pest Control in Aotearoa New Zealand, Worcester Polytechnic Insitute.

ABSTRACT

Aotearoa New Zealand focuses on pest control to preserve the country’s fragile biodiversity. Genetic modification presents a potential strategy for pest control, but it raises complex ethical, social, and political viewpoints. We collaborated with Dr. Ocean Mercier to chart researchers’ and environmentalists’ perspectives on gene-based pest control, which furthers her goal of understanding Aotearoa’s opinions on novel biotechnologies for conservation. Through the Q-Method, we organized shared views on gene-based pest control, which will help Aotearoa reach its goal of being a predator-free country.