Biotechnologies in pest wasp control: taking the sting out of pest management for Māori businesses?

In Aotearoa New Zealand, the government’s ambitious target of becoming “predator-free” by 2050 has reignited public discussion on biotechnologies. The disproportionate abundance of German and common wasps in New Zealand disrupts native biodiversity and costs $133 million annually to the economy, mak...

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Main Authors: Symon Palmer, Ocean Ripeka Mercier
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2021-04-01
Series:New Genetics and Society
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14636778.2020.1799344
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author Symon Palmer
Ocean Ripeka Mercier
author_facet Symon Palmer
Ocean Ripeka Mercier
author_sort Symon Palmer
collection DOAJ
description In Aotearoa New Zealand, the government’s ambitious target of becoming “predator-free” by 2050 has reignited public discussion on biotechnologies. The disproportionate abundance of German and common wasps in New Zealand disrupts native biodiversity and costs $133 million annually to the economy, making exotic wasps an expedient trial pest species for novel biotechnological controls. Māori businesses occupy primary industries said to benefit from wasp control. A Māori-centered mixed-method study gauged the perceptions of eight Māori businesses about the potential use of five specific new biotechnological controls in pest management. Participants raised concerns about risk and side effects; called for further information and a reconfiguring of how information is presented; reflected on previous pest challenges; and took positions in reference to Māori customary concepts. While all agree that doing nothing is not an option, careful, informed deliberation is required on whether and how best to move forward with these new biotechnological controls.
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spelling doaj.art-6e32066ceaa845ca81c25fd57eb95a592023-09-19T15:22:18ZengTaylor & Francis GroupNew Genetics and Society1463-67781469-99152021-04-0140215517710.1080/14636778.2020.17993441799344Biotechnologies in pest wasp control: taking the sting out of pest management for Māori businesses?Symon Palmer0Ocean Ripeka Mercier1Te Kawa a Māui (School of Māori Studies), Victoria University of WellingtonTe Kawa a Māui (School of Māori Studies), Victoria University of WellingtonIn Aotearoa New Zealand, the government’s ambitious target of becoming “predator-free” by 2050 has reignited public discussion on biotechnologies. The disproportionate abundance of German and common wasps in New Zealand disrupts native biodiversity and costs $133 million annually to the economy, making exotic wasps an expedient trial pest species for novel biotechnological controls. Māori businesses occupy primary industries said to benefit from wasp control. A Māori-centered mixed-method study gauged the perceptions of eight Māori businesses about the potential use of five specific new biotechnological controls in pest management. Participants raised concerns about risk and side effects; called for further information and a reconfiguring of how information is presented; reflected on previous pest challenges; and took positions in reference to Māori customary concepts. While all agree that doing nothing is not an option, careful, informed deliberation is required on whether and how best to move forward with these new biotechnological controls.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14636778.2020.1799344māori businessbiotechnologypest controlwaspsnew zealandbiodiversity and conservation
spellingShingle Symon Palmer
Ocean Ripeka Mercier
Biotechnologies in pest wasp control: taking the sting out of pest management for Māori businesses?
New Genetics and Society
māori business
biotechnology
pest control
wasps
new zealand
biodiversity and conservation
title Biotechnologies in pest wasp control: taking the sting out of pest management for Māori businesses?
title_full Biotechnologies in pest wasp control: taking the sting out of pest management for Māori businesses?
title_fullStr Biotechnologies in pest wasp control: taking the sting out of pest management for Māori businesses?
title_full_unstemmed Biotechnologies in pest wasp control: taking the sting out of pest management for Māori businesses?
title_short Biotechnologies in pest wasp control: taking the sting out of pest management for Māori businesses?
title_sort biotechnologies in pest wasp control taking the sting out of pest management for maori businesses
topic māori business
biotechnology
pest control
wasps
new zealand
biodiversity and conservation
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14636778.2020.1799344
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