49904 (2024). Hon Dr Deborah Russell to the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology

49904 (2024). Hon Dr Deborah Russell to the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology: What specific health benefits are anticipated from the changes to New Zealand’s laws on genetic modification, and how will these be measured?

Hon Judith Collins: New laws will mean our doctors and scientists can more easily research, develop and manufacture innovative therapies in New Zealand. An example is CAR T-cell therapies, which engineer a patient’s own cells to fight cancer. CAR T-cell therapies will be authorised under the non-notifiable category of the regime, reflecting a lower risk profile. The technology will still be regulated, but no longer require a case-by-case assessment and approval by the regulator, which will improve patient access to such technologies.