PSGR Past Trustees

Several past members have greatly contributed to PSGR, and their biographies are listed below.

Assoc Prof Peter Wills.

Peter Wills is a Theoretical Biologist in the Department of Physics, University of Auckland.

He gained a BSc in Chemistry and Biochemistry in 1973, his PhD in Biochemistry in 1977, and has held full time positions at a variety of leading overseas institutes.

Dr Wills’ most recent research has been concerned with the early stages of biological evolution, especially the origins of genetic coding and biological information processing. Some of his collaborative research work into prions - the infectious agents active in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies - has involved the contained laboratory use of microbial genetic engineering for gene amplification and functional protein analysis.

He has published widely in the international scientific literature covering a number of different fields: biochemistry, theoretical physics, molecular genetics and complexity theory.

Since the mid-1980s, Dr Wills has written and spoken extensively about genetic engineering, both in New Zealand and abroad. His analysis has been published internationally. He was an invited speaker at the 1994 Third World Network Conference in Penang that resulted in the scientists’ statement, “The Need for Greater Regulation and Control of Genetic Engineering” and in 1999 he was the only foreign invitee to the first Australian Consensus Conference on “Gene Technology in the Food Chain.”

He was a Witness to the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification on behalf of PSRG and a number of other New Zealand organisations. He has also been a Witness on genetic engineering to the Waitangi Tribunal.

Dr Wills is a Trustee of Physicians and Scientists for Global Responsibility, previously Physicians and Scientists for Responsible Genetics New Zealand, a Charitable Trust. He was Co-founder of Scientists Against Nuclear Arms (1983), and Chair of Greenpeace New Zealand (1993-1996).

Dr Wills held a trustee position until 2020

Links:

Peter Wills - The Biological Complexity and Genetic Engineering Web Site

http://www.physics.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/associate-professor-peter-wills

Genetic Engineering: Policy and Science since the Royal Commission: Insoluable Problems Summary (pdf); Full Report (pdf)

'Harnessing our very life' Peter R Wills, David L F Williams, Denys Trussell and L R B Mann

Dr Elizabeth Harris

MBChB, Dip.Obs, Cert. NZ Sports Med., Cert. Proficiency Child Health, Cert. Family Planning, Dip. Musculoskeletal Med., FRNCGP. General Practitioner, Trustee PSGR. Region: Otago

Dr Harris trained in Dunedin, completing her MBChB in 1991. Dr. Elizabeth Harris has worked in general practice for 20 years and holds further qualifications in complimentary health and functional medicine. Her organisation, The Brain Health and Biofeedback Clinic assists patients with brain health measures and interventions to manage Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Fibromyalgia, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and chronic unexplained illness,. Elizabeth Harrris held a trustee position 2009-2020

Dr Robert Anderson

Sadly, Robert Anderson (Bob) died on 5 December 2008.

In recognition of his decade of service to PSGR, and to many other organisations, PSGR hosts his public lectures. Other work and lectures can be found on www.connected.gen.nz, sponsored by The Blase Company, Auckland.

In 2010, Amnesty International Tauranga Moana established the Robert Anderson Memorial Award to honour the contribution Bob made to Peace, Human Rights and Social Justice. It is presented annually to a recipient equally committed to these issues. Read more on https://www.connected.gen.nz/robert-anderson-memorial-award.

Robert Anderson held a combined honours degree in Physics and Chemistry, and a PhD in Science Education.

Prior to taking his degree, Robert worked at the University of Birmingham, England, as a research technician in the Department of Biochemistry, under Dr John Teal from the University of Cambridge, studying fluorescence of proteins in neutral solution. He also worked under Professor Brian Perry from the University of Cambridge, investigating the actin/myosin relationship in muscle protein.

Robert and his wife, Jean, emigrated to New Zealand in 1968, where Robert taught Chemistry, Physics, Laboratory Technology and Nuclear Medicine at tertiary level.

In retirement, Robert gave public lectures on genetic engineering, other scientific and environmental issues, and peace and social justice, in support of the public’s right to be independently informed. He authored eleven books, including two co-authored with Dr Mike Godfrey, Director of the Bay of Plenty Environmental Health Clinic, Tauranga. He contributed regularly to New Zealand periodicals.

Robert was a Trustee of PSRG from its inception as a Charitable Trust and change of name to PSGR.

Dr John R Clearwater

Researcher and consultant. John Clearwater was a founding member of PSRG in 1998, and one of six initial Trustees. Ill health forced John to relinquish his Trusteeship in 2008. It was with sadness we accepted his resignation. John has consistently made valid contributions and supported PSRG. We will miss his involvement and commitment, and especially his sense of humour. Keep well in the future, John.

Dr John Clearwater has a PhD from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, and a BSc and MSc from Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. He is the principal scientist at Clearwater Research and Consulting.

From 1975 to 1979, Dr Clearwater carried out ecological research on the sorghum shoot fly at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology in Nairobi, Kenya.

In 1979, he returned to New Zealand and joined the DSIR, transferring in 1992 to Hort Research.

During his career, Dr Clearwater developed a method of controlling codling moth with pheromones and in 1992 produced the first New Zealand export crop of organic apples with Tony Belcher of Waihi. After failing to convince his managers of the value of this achievement, he resigned and set up a programme of organic apple growing in the Hawkes Bay. This followed the invitation of a local grower, John Bostock, and John Mangan of Freshco. By 2001, this programme had grown to include over 50 growers and five percent of New Zealand’s apple growers. By the 2000/2001 season, the best return was $80/carton of organic Royal gala apples on the US market, compared to $8.25 (loss of $1/carton) for conventional apples. The biological insecticide Bacillus Thuringiensis is a key tool in this activity.

Dr Clearwater provided the pheromone-based monitoring system for the successful programme that eradicated the White-Spotted Tussock Moth from the suburbs of Auckland. The monitoring allowed accurate placement of the biological insecticide B. thuringiensis.

Number of referred publications: 29.

Dr A Neil Macgregor

Sadly, Neil died on 16 September 2009. He had been active in PSRG/PSGR since its inception. Neil brought a wealth of experience to the work he did, dedication, and a great sense of humour. He will be sadly missed.

Neil Macgregor was a biological scientist with primary expertise in soil biology and biochemistry, soil microbial ecology, and microbial genetics. He graduated BSc and MSc from the University of Otago (NZ) in 1961, and PhD from Cornell University (USA) in 1968.

Dr Macgregor held both teaching and/or research positions at Cornell University, the University of Arizona in Tucson, the University of Wisconsin in Madison, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) in Montpellier, Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, and Massey University, Palmerston North (Tiritea Campus), New Zealand. From 1991-99 he was an academic member of the University Council of Massey University, and was national Vice President and President of the Association of University Teachers in New Zealand (AUTNZ) from 1985-1989.

Dr Macgregor had relevant research experiences in soil biological processes and land-use systems including biological nitrogen fixation and transformations in both terrestrial and aquatic natural environments, land disposal of rural and urban waste streams, soil and water quality, and the experimental use of reporter genes in soil microbial ecology studies.

Specific research interests included the biological decomposition of herbicides, the role and soil persistence of microbial inoculants in biological nitrogen fixation and sulphur oxidation, biochemical transformations of nitrogen and carbon in soil and aquatic environments, and the use of reporter genes in soil microbial ecology. He had ongoing major interests in soil biology and ecotoxicology, microbial ecology of land-use systems, as well as in the animal health industry, anthropogenic stresses of soil biological activity, and sustainability of land-use systems.

Dr Macgregor authored/co-authored over 70 refereed publications and conference papers. He contributed the chapter ‘Footprints of Genetic Engineering in Agriculture’ to Designer Genes and frequently addressed community groups on the effects of transgenic crops on soil biology, and on further soil research in the organic and vermiculture industries.

He was a Trustee of Physicians and Scientists for Responsible Genetics and Co-Editor of the digital publication, Journal of Organic Systems.

Neil Macgregor was a founder of the Journal for Organic Systems and a tribute to him and his work can be found on http://www.organic-systems.org/journal/Vol_4(1)/pdf/01-03_Neil_Macgregor_Appreciation_Hill.pdf.

Valued PSGR Past Trustees

Dr Robert Anderson

Dr A Neil Macgregor

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