Developing national guidelines for risk assessment of genetically modified plants and animals for use in field trials

This is an assignment from the Norwegian Environment Agency.

The Norwegian Environment Agency has received several applications under the Gene Technology Act for experimental release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The Environment Agency has therefore requested VKM to develop guidelines to support applicants, risk assessors, and decision-makers.

The guidelines will focus on plants and animals developed with new genome editing techniques but will also apply to GMOs developed with more traditional techniques. The guideline for animals will include risk assessment of mammals and fish.

The guidelines are being developed by three separate interdisciplinary project groups, consisting of both VKM members and external experts: 1). Molecular characterisation, 2). Environmental risk assessment of plants, and 3). Environmental risk assessment of animals.

VKM received the assignment on December 10, 2024.

The guidelines will be approved by an interdisciplinary approval group and are scheduled for publication within the first quarter of 2026.

Project organisation

Chair of the project

Johanna Bodin - member of the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms

Molecular characterisation

Knut Tomas Dalen - member of the VKM Panel on Nutrition

Nur Duale - member of the VKM Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms

Kristian Prydz - member of the VKM Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms

Monica Sanden - Chair of the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms

Sjur Sandgrind - external expert from the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO)

Ville Erling Sipinen - VKM Secretariat (Project manager)

Environmental risk assessment of genetically modified plants

Rakel Blaalid - member of the VKM Panel on Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

Siri Lie Olsen – external expert, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) and Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)

Sjur Sandgrind - external expert, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO)

Ville Erling Sipinen - VKM Secretariat (Project manager)

Environmental risk assessment of genetically modified animals

Paul Ragnar Berg - member of the VKM Panel on Biodiversity

Line Elisabeth Sundt-Hansen – external expert, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)

Tor Atle Mo - member of the VKM Panel on Animal Welfare

Eli K. Rueness - member of the VKM Panel on Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

Guro Katrine Sandvik - external expert, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

Anne Marthe Ganes Jevnaker - VKM secretariat (Project manager)