Gene Technology Compliance

The Gene Technology Act 2000 regulates all dealings with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). A person who deals with a GMO without an appropriate approval is guilty of an offence under the legislation.

All University personnel who propose to deal with GMOs must obtain the appropriate approvals for their GMO work from the University of Adelaide Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and where necessary the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) prior to commencing the work.

All non-university personnel wishing to work with GMOs in University premises must also obtain the appropriate approvals from the University IBC.

When working with GMOs, all personnel have a responsibility to comply with the legislation and its associated regulations and guidelines as well as IBC and University policies.

Certain dealings with GMOs must be conducted within physical containment facilities that are certified by the OGTR. The purpose of certification is to ensure that the containment facility protects persons outside the facility from exposure to GMOs and prevents release of GMOs into the environment. Conditions of certification require certain procedures to be followed to ensure the safety of people and the containment of GMOs.

Application for approval of GMO dealings and for certification of facilities is made using the forms available on the University of Adelaide web site. Relevant links to OGTR web pages are also located in the Gene Technology Resources web site.

All personnel (including visitors) working with GMOs or in an OGTR certified facility (irrespective of whether they are working with GMOs) must be trained in the OGTR requirements.