Commonwealth regulators of gene technology

Page content: Office of the Gene Technology Regulator | Gene Technology Ministerial Council | Gene Technology Technical Advisory Comittee | Gene Technology Ethics Committee | Gene Technology Community Consultative Committee | National framework

Office of the Gene Technology Regulator

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) is the Commonwealth statutory body that administers the gene technology regulatory system. Its functions include the licensing and monitoring of proposed activities using gene technology and enforcing the legislation.

The OGTR also develops and publishes standards, procedural guidelines and codes of practice relating to genetically modified organisms. The Office provides information to the public, other regulatory agencies and the States and Territories about the regulation of genetically modified organisms.

The GTR uses the advice of the Gene Technology Ministerial Council and the three national committees established by the legislation. The GTR is an independent statutory office holder under the Act. The GTR tables quarterly reports on the activities of the Office in the Commonwealth Parliament.

Gene Technology Ministerial Council

The Gene Technology Ministerial Council is comprised of Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers and is responsible for overseeing the operation of the national gene technology regulatory system.

The Ministerial Council will advise the GTR on policy principles and codes of practice to underpin the system. It will also coordinate with other relevant ministerial councils in relation to gene technology, advises on the appointment of the GTR, and advises on the appointment of members to the national committees.

The Minister for Health is Victoria's lead Minister for biotechnology safety and ethics and represents Victoria on the Ministerial Council.

Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee

The Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee (GTTAC) replaced the Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee operating under the previous voluntary system. The GTTAC provides scientific and technical advice to the GTR and the Ministerial Council on gene technology, GMOs and GM products. It also advises on applications made under the legislation and the need for technical guidelines in relation to GMOs and GM products.

Members of the GTTAC are appointed by the Commonwealth Health Minister. The appointees have a broad range of skills and experience in areas such as molecular biology, ecology, genetics, virology, entomology, agricultural or aqua-cultural systems, bio-safety engineering, public health, occupational health and safety, risk assessment, clinical medicine, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, botany, microbiology, animal biology, immunology and toxicology.

The membership also includes one member of the Gene Technology Community Consultative Committee, one member of the Gene Technology Ethics Committee and one layperson.

Gene Technology Ethics Committee

The Gene Technology Ethics Committee (GTEC) provides advice to the GTR and the Ministerial Council on the ethics of gene technology and develops ethical guidelines and directives in relation to GMOs and GM products where there are ethical concerns, including advice on policy principles for GMO dealings that should not be conducted for ethical reasons.

Members of the GTEC are appointed by the Commonwealth Minister for Health, and have skills or experience in ethics and the environment, health ethics, applied ethics, law, religious practices, population health, agricultural practices, animal health and welfare, or issues relating to gene technology.

The Committee also includes one member of the Gene Technology Community Consultative Committee and one member of the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee.

Gene Technology Community Consultative Committee

The Gene Technology Community Consultative Committee (GTCCC) is a consultative committee established to advise the Ministerial Council and the GTR on community concerns relating to gene technology, and on the development of policy documents and codes of practice to guide the GTR.

Members of the GTCCC are appointed by the Commonwealth Minister for Health and have skills and experience in environmental issues, consumer issues, the impact of gene technology in the community, the biotechnology industry and research, local government, primary production and public health.

The Committee also includes one member of the Gene Technology Ethics Committee and one member of the Gene TechnologyTechnical Advisory Committee.