Research involving Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Gene technology is any work involving the modification of organisms by the direct incorporation (or deletion) of one or more genes to introduce or alterspecific characteristic(s).

Organisms created using gene technology techniques are known as Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). A national regulatory scheme was introduced in Australia in 2001 to monitor all work involving GMOs. This regulatory system is administered by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR).

Organisations dealing with GMOs must be accredited and must have an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), or access to an IBC, which reviews research applications and monitors certified facilities.

The Approval process

To gain approval to work with GMO's you will first need to establish the level of dealing.  Dealings are divided into three main categories based on the level of risk to researchers, the community and the environment.

Exempt dealings are are considered to pose the lowest level of risk.

Notifiable Low Risk Dealings are considered to be of intermediate level of risk and require that the work in conducted in facilities that have meet all the required certification guidlines.

Licenced Dealings are considered to have the highest level of risk and require approval from both the Institutional Biosafety committee, first, and the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator.  These types of dealing are subdivided inot Dealings involving Intentional Reslease (DIR) and Dealings Not involving Intentional Release (DNIR).