We share Lynn City Council President Jay Walsh’s frustration with the council’s vote on Tuesday to not act on the recombinant DNA proposal.
A building block in Mayor Jared Nicholson’s plan to attract life-science businesses to the city, the proposal was tabled after five opponents leaned heavier on opinions than facts in criticizing it.
“I think what we saw was a lot of misinformation on display,” said a frustrated Walsh.
We agree completely.
Recombinant DNA technology is defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica as “the joining together of DNA molecules from different organisms and inserting it into a host organism to produce new genetic combinations that are of value to science, medicine, agriculture and industry.”
Nicholson on Feb. 21 announced the city’s partnership with BioConnects New England to lay the groundwork to help the city attract life-sciences firms, in part by drawing on North Shore Community College’s resources.
Lynn Economic Development & Industrial Corporation (Lynn/EDIC) Executive Director James M. Cowdell said now is a crucial time for the city to attract life-sciences businesses looking for locations outside Boston.
Tuesday night’s critics raised the prospect of genetic mutations and other threats if the city allows rDNA in the city. Walsh noted claims that Level III laboratories would be permitted in the city is incorrect, with the proposal only allowing Level II facilities.
The proposed ordinance would create the Lynn Biosafety Committee charged with drafting rDNA and life-science operations policies.
A quick Google search provides ample information on how other cities regulate and support life-science firms, including the City of Cambridge, where, according to the Cambridge Public Health Department website, more than 50 biotechnology and pharmaceutical laboratories are located within city limits.
“In 1977, Cambridge became the first city in the world to regulate the manipulation of genetic material. The Cambridge Recombinant DNA Technology Ordinance establishes strict oversight of university and commercial laboratories that engage in recombinant DNA research,” states the website.
We are happy to hear Walsh, who has distinguished himself in two short months as a leader working closely with Nicholson, anticipates the proposed ordinance will be passed at the next council meeting.
