Scientists believe there are great applications for taking gene-editing research outside - under new regulations. 

The Government's planning to introduce legislation this year to let researchers develop and commercialise gene tech products outside laboratories.  

Genetics expert Michael Bunce at Australia's Curtin University says under current laws, useful research for New Zealand has been hampered by red tape. 

He told Ryan Bridge the solution to problems like wilding pine trees is a good example. 

Bunce says making pine trees sterile keeps them in one place and stops the spread around New Zealand. 

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