Scientific Steering Committee and Panels
The committee has 96 members divided into a steering group and 10 specialist groups. The members collectively possess broad interdisciplinary expertise. They are professionally independent and participate by virtue of their expertise. They do not represent the institution they are employed by or other interests.
The members of VKM have expertise in the fields of biophysics, biotechnology, botany, nutrition, evolutionary biology, pharmacology, human medicine/biology, soil science, chemistry, climate and meteorology, marine biology and limnology, food science, microbiology, mycology, plant science, toxicology and environmental science, veterinary medicine, zoology, and ecology.
Here you will find an overview of the members in the various specialist groups, risk assessments, and the agenda and minutes from the meetings of the specialist groups.
The Scientific Steering Committee discusses guidelines and principles for the work in VKM, coordinates risk assessments that are being developed in more than one panel, and finalizes the most extensive risk assessments.
Animal Health and Welfare
The Panel assesses risks of infectious diseases that may threaten animal health, and summarises knowledge related to unfavourable production or living conditions for animals.
Biodiversity
The Panel assesses whether the import, release, and keeping of non-native organisms may pose a risk to biodiversity in Norway. They also evaluate other factors that may affect biodiversity.
Biological Food Safety
The Panel assesses the risk that various pathogens in food (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and prions) may pose to public health.
CITES
The main task of the Panel is to assess whether international trade in endangered and vulnerable species listed under the CITES convention is detrimental to the continued survival of these species.
Contaminants in Food
The Panel conducts knowledge summaries and assesses risks related to environmental toxins and other contaminants in food and drink.
Food Additives and Cosmetics
The Panel assesses risks related to additives, flavorings, food packaging, and cosmetics.
GMO-Medicinal Products
The Panel assesses environmental risks from using medicinal products that contain or consist of genetically modified organisms.
Genetically Modified Organisms
The Panel performs health and environmental risk assessments of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
Nutrition
The Panel assesses benefits and risks in the fields of human nutrition, dietetic products and allergies.
Plant Health
The Panel assesses the risk of plant pests that may have negative effects on agricultural production and the environment.
