News section

Australian OGTR: Invitation to comment on the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan for limited and controlled release of genetically modified wheat: DIR 054/2004 - Field trial of genetically modified wheat with altered grain starch

January 21, 2005

Invitation to comment on the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan for limited and controlled release of genetically modified wheat: DIR 054/2004, comments close 4 March 2005 - posted 21 January 2005

DIR 054/2004 - Field trial of genetically modified wheat with altered grain starch

Australia’s Gene Technology Regulator (the Regulator) is responsible for administering the national regulatory system that seeks to protect the health and safety of people and the environment by identifying risks posed by, or as a result of, gene technology and managing those risks.

The Regulator has received an application for a licence to intentionally release genetically modified (GM) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) into the environment:

CSIRO proposes to conduct a limited and controlled release of six lines of GM wheat with altered starch characteristics.  The aim in conducting the proposed release is to assess the in-field performance and to generate seed stocks of the GM wheat lines for further research (subject to future approvals). The proposed release would take place at one site covering a maximum total area of 0.25 ha in the Australian Capital Territory from May 2005 to January 2007.

Starch is an important energy storage compound in plants which can vary in its structural composition.  In the GM wheat lines specific genes involved in starch synthesis have been turned off or ‘silenced’.  This has resulted in GM wheat plants which produce grain with an increased proportion of amylose starch.  This type of starch is also known as ‘resistant’ starch because it is digested differently to other starch.  Foods made with resistant starch are thought to have benefits for human health.  All the GM wheat lines proposed for release also contain an antibiotic resistance gene that was used as a selectable marker in the laboratory.

Following consultation with the expert groups and authorities prescribed in the Gene Technology Act 2000 (the Act), the Regulator has prepared a risk assessment and risk management plan (RARMP) for this application.

The RARMP suggests that the proposed release would not pose significant risks to human health and safety and the environment as a result of the genetic modification.  The RARMP identifies a range of proposed licence conditions, including containment conditions that would be imposed if a licence was issued.

In accordance with the Act, the Regulator invites written submissions from the public and interested organisations on matters relating to the protection of human health and safety and the environment in order to finalise this plan.  Please note that issues such as food safety and labelling, herbicide use and marketability and trade implications do NOT fall within the scope of the evaluations conducted under the Act, as these are the responsibility of other agencies and authorities.

The full risk assessment and risk management plan, summary information, and a set of Questions and Answers can be obtained from the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator’s website or by contacting the Office (see below).  Copies of the licence application are also available.  Please quote application number DIR 054/2004.

The Gene Technology Act 2000 specifies a minimum 30 day consultation period. However, I have extended the comment period to 6 weeks. The RARMP will then be finalised, to take into account matters raised in submissions that relate to the protection of people and the environment. I will then make a decision on whether or not to issue a licence as soon as possible thereafter.

BACKGROUND: http://www.ogtr.gov.au/ir/dir054.htm

Submissions should be forwarded to the Regulator by close of business on 4 March 2005.

Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
PO Box 100 WODEN ACT 2606
Telephone: 1800 181 030
Facsimile: 02 6271 4202
http://www.ogtr.gov.au
E-mail: ogtr@health.gov.au

News release

Other news from this source

11,173

Back to main news page

The news release or news item on this page is copyright © 2005 by the organization where it originated.
The content of the SeedQuest website is copyright © 1992-2005 by SeedQuest - All rights reserved
Fair Use Notice