Regulation of gene technology in Australia
All dealings with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are regulated under the Gene Technology Act 20001.
The intentional release of a GMO into the Australian environment must be licensed by the Gene Technology Regulator (the Regulator), and can only be licensed if risks can be managed so as to protect the health and safety of people and the environment. Marketing issues are not part of the Regulator’s consideration, and are matters for industry and the states and territories.
The Australian regulatory scheme uses a science-based approach and robust risk analysis. The risk analysis methodology is based on key international standards and is widely respected nationally and internationally as representing best practice2.
GM wheat
There has been no commercial release of GM wheat in Australia, and no licence applications for the commercial release of GM wheat have been received.
Since 2005, the Regulator has approved eleven small GM wheat field trials, and only after conducting a rigorous science-based risk assessment and extensive public and expert consultation for each, ten of which are still current. These field trials relate to early stage research on GM wheat with traits such as salt tolerance, drought tolerance, altered starch content or improved nutrient use efficiency, and are being conducted by the CSIRO, the University of Adelaide and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.
Each trial is limited in size and duration, ranging in size from 0.1 to 2 hectares per year for up to 5 years. Details of field trial locations are publically available on the OGTR website.
GM wheat from these trials is not permitted to enter the commercial human or animal food supplies.
The field trials are subject to strict containment conditions to minimise the potential spread and persistence in the environment. The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator actively inspects trials for compliance with licence conditions. There have been no breaches of containment with any of these field trials.
Two licences held by CSIRO authorise animal nutritional studies (DIR 092 and DIR 093); one of these also authorises experimental human nutritional studies (DIR 093). These studies are subject to approval by animal- and human- ethics committees, and will use products made from GM wheat with altered grain starch aimed at improving nutritional properties such as glycemic index.
