Gene Technology

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The Gene Technology Regulations 2001, amendment 2011, commenced on 1 September 2011.  

• Important amendments to the Regulations include changes to some definitions, and in particular, changes to the classification of Exempt dealings, NLRDs and DNIRs.
• From 1 September all new applications must comply with these new definitions and classifications for GMO dealings.
• Other changes relate to time limits for approvals (5 year maximum duration), information to be reported to the OGTR and that IBC assessment records must be kept for 8 years from the date of assessment.

The OGTR have also updated the Guidelines for the transport, storage and disposal of GMOs - these also commenced on 1 September 2011.

Please ensure you visit our New Gene Technology Regulations webpage for more information.

Biosafety Assurance

At QUT, ‘biosafety assurance’ relates to protecting the health and safety of people and the environment by identifying and minimising risks posed by QUT research, teaching or other associated activities. Aspects of biosafety in research and teaching with potential for harm to people or the environment are:

• Working with microorganisms and/or other biological material
• Importing biological material
• Dealing with genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
• Working with security sensitive biological agents (SSBA)

The four principal compliance regimes to which QUT must adhere in relation to these activities are:

• Relevant Australian Standards, which specify work practices for dealing with infectious agents
• The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), which specifies and participates in a regulatory regime to minimise the risk of exotic pests and diseases entering the country and to help retain Australia's animal, plant and human health
• The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR), which specifies and participates in a regulatory regime for dealings with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
• National Health Security legislation, which provides a regulatory scheme to improve the security of biological agents of security concern and is implemented through the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

QUT has established a policy in relation to the conduct of activities involving biological materials and the use of GMOs (MOPP Policy A/9.3 Biosafety policy).

Activities involving gene technology or GMOs

Activities involving the use of gene technology or GMOs must be submitted to the QUT Institute Biosafety Committee (IBC) for review, and the proponent must receive notification of approval before the proposal commences. The QUT IBC has been established to review and monitor the conduct of activities that involve dealings with GMOs.

All persons who will be working in a laboratory certified to use or create a GMO must be provided with a local induction to the laboratory and be listed as an authorised user for the laboratory.

Information on the IBC can be found on the Governance Services website.

Activities NOT involving gene technology or GMOs

Applications for work with non-GMO bioasfety materials are assessed at a Faculty/Institute level, in consultation with your Facility/Laboratory Manager. The Biosafety Application Flowchart has been developed to assist you in deciding what documentation you need to submit.

Please contact your local Workplace Health & Safety Officer or Laboratory Manager for guidance.

Researchers who are unclear of their obligations in these areas should refer to the Biosafety Assurance FAQs, their supervisor/research team, Health and Safety Advisory Services and/or their QUT IBC representative.