STREAMLINING REGULATIONS, KEEPING HIGH SAFETY STANDARDS - REVISED CRITERIA FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF RELEASES OF GENETICALLY-MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMOS) INTO THE ENVIRONMENT

In order to develop criteria for the assessment of releases of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the environment in Austria, Austrian scientists and government experts discussed case studies on: microorganisms, plants and animals. Taking into account the relevant EU and other international regulations, as well as the familiarity and the internationally accumulated experience, not only with GMOs but also with recipient organisms as well as traits and environmental conditions, recommendations are made to streamline the current risk-assessment procedure by reducing information requirements on aspects where experience has been gained and concentrating on the new characteristics of the particular GMO and its environment. On this basis, key criteria for the assessment of releases of genetically modified microorganisms, plants and animals are elaborated and a scheme for the categorization of releases of certain transgenic animals is suggested.