ACRE Publications

Advice of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment under Section 124 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990

Statement on GM Animals July 2001

ACRE welcomes the move by the AEBC to report on GM animals and is happy to assist in its deliberations. There have been no applications to release a genetically modified animal in the UK, hence any statements made by ACRE on the release of GM animals are purely hypothetical.

Were there to be an application to release a GM animal into the environment then ACRE is of the opinion that the legislation is appropriate and that there are provisions in the regulations to judge the risks to human health and the environment from such a release. The criteria in Directive 2001/18/EC (under which any future releases of GM animals are likely to take place) are that "member states shall, in accordance with the precautionary principle, ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to avoid adverse effects on human health and the environment that might arise from the deliberate release or the placing on the market of GMOs".

As with all releases, judgement would be made on a case-by-case basis under a logical framework conditioned by the statutory requirements. The same process would be followed for such a release as that used for the release of GM plants and micro-organisms. The information needed to consider the release of a GM animal would include, as with all releases, the specifics of the genetic modification, the effect of the genetic modification on the animal, details of the breeding system and an assessment of the risks posed to human health and the environment. ACRE would also consider if there were any novel questions that should be asked. If ACRE felt that its membership did not provide sufficient expertise it would request that an expert opinion be sought; were there to be an increase in the number of applications to release GM animals then a variation in membership of the committee would be appropriate.

It is not appropriate for ACRE to speculate on what GM animals may feature in future release applications but the committee is aware of the work being carried out in contained facilities on GM mammals (sheep, cows and rodents), GM fish, and GM invertebrates (insects and nematodes). ACRE would consider the release of any genetically modified animal, native or non-native, very seriously and with great caution, as a release may have adverse consequences to the receiving ecosystem. ACRE strives to be proactive in thinking about future release applications and this is evident in its work plan. One of our ACRE subgroups will be considering and producing guidance on where the boundaries lie between contained use and deliberate release, these considerations will include GM animals. ACRE is aware that there are particular concerns worldwide about GM fish and has previously published guidance on such releases.