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Wellington - A royal commission investigating genetic modification was in uproar on Monday after a scientist claimed the United States had engineered a bacterium with the potential to kill all plant life on the planet.
But a group representing pro-genetic science groups has responded by claiming that American biologist Elaine Ingham had misrepresented her research.
The Royal Commission on Genetic Modification has been hearing evidence in Wellington for nearly two months.
Earlier the Green Party called the Oregon State University soil biologist who told the commission that the engineered bacterium Klebsiella planticola had potential to kill all life if released into the environment.
Ingham said the bacterium had gained American regulatory approval, then killed all the wheat plants it was added to - contributing to a conclusion that changing the beneficial life in soil put the continued survival of humans at risk by affecting vital nutrients, water quality and the ability to suppress disease.
But the Life Sciences Network, applying to rebut the evidence, asserted Inghams findings were without scientific foundation.
It also asserted that, in one respect, she had misrepresented official support for her field research.
"Dr Ingham made outrageous and scientifically unsupported assertions about ecological devastation for all terrestrial plant life arising from modification of a single soil bacterium," network chairperson William Rolleston said.
The application says: "Her evidence, while not given on oath, was nevertheless bound by normal standards of ethical behaviour expected of scientists ... Dr Ingham also told the commission the United States authorities had approved field tests of the bacterium. No such approval was given."
The network further asserted that research she cited in support of her findings did not justify her conclusions.
Ingham is currently in Australia but Green Party leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said Ingham was a "very well-respected researcher".
"Her work is very credible. If she's made some minor glitch, that will come out in the wash."
The commission is expected to make a decision next month on whether a rebuttal can be offered.