Paul Brennan and Dr Guy Hatchard unpack the repeated delays to New Zealand’s Gene Technology Bill, questioning whether political reluctance stems from a refusal to admit past mistakes. They warn of global setbacks in mRNA and gene therapy industries, highlight concerns about unregulated changes in the food chain, and argue that deregulation poses serious risks to health and safety. Linking biotech ambitions with AI-driven gene editing and wider digital control agendas, they urge New Zealand to t