Sub-group on Harm

This page summarises the work of the ACRE sub-group on the criteria and baselines used to gauge 'harm' when considering the risks of releasing GMOs to the environment.

The group was established in March 2001 and met 4 times. ACRE agreed the sub-group’s report at their meeting of July 2002. However the committee can reconvene a sub-group in order to revise reports or provide additional guidance documents where appropriate.

Terms of reference

The ACRE subgroup had the following terms of reference:

• To set out clearly and transparently how ACRE considers the concept of environmental 'harm' with respect to the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment;
• To consider and explain the contribution that science can make to the judgement of harm and how this issue is best addressed in risk assessment;
• To consider and explain the scientific criteria used to gauge harm and to identify baselines against which the risks of the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms may be compared;
• The subgroup reported only to ACRE. ACRE monitored the work of the subgroup;
• The subgroup could consult or seek wider views in the course of its deliberations.

Mode of working

The subgroup had a core membership made up of plant biologists and ecologists. Three meetings were held in 2001. A 4th meeting followed in early 2002. The group subsequently worked together by correspondence. Minutes of the meetings are available on request to the ACRE Secretariat.

Publications

• The criteria used by ACRE to gauge harm when giving advice on the risks of releasing genetically modified organisms to the environment (PDF 120 KB)