A proponent of genetic modification says it is a good time to have the debate again. 

The Agriculture Minister told says he is open to a review of genetic engineering laws, after the Government's Interim Climate Change Committee this month raised concerns the laws could be a barrier to lowering farming emissions.

"We probably need to have a sensible, mature conversation about genetic engineering," O'Connor said on Tuesday, adding there had been significant shifts in technology.

"This is not going to be a silver bullet for any of our challenges but it will be one of the tools in our toolbox over time and we have to look at that very carefully."

But O'Connor shares a concern that has been raised by both those in favour of a debate and those opposed.

That is, that opening New Zealand to genetic modification could hurt our access to overseas markets increasingly concerned with organic products and hurt our 100 per cent brand.

It was about balancing those risks for exporters, O'Connor said.

Life Sciences Network chair Dr William Rolleston told Heather du Plessis-Allan the tone has changed since GMOs were last a hot-button issue.

"20 years ago, you'd always have people getting up and saying this is the devil's work.

"Now, a farmer said to me recently 'I wish I had been born 30 years later, as I really wish I could have used this sort of technology'."

He says that his impression is that society has matured a lot and there have not been any issues with the technology overseas.