Development of guidelines for small scale genetic manipulation work

The Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee (GMAC) is the national body which reviews research and development work in Australia using genetic manipulation technologies. It supersedes and continues the work of the Recombinant DNA Monitoring Committee (RDMC). GMAC has recently drafted new guidelines for small scale laboratory work. The difference between these guidelines and the ones they have replaced is the broadening of the scope of work to be monitored, from recombinant DNA work to other genetic technologies which may also produce new combinations of inheritable genetic material. Experience from assessing proposals over the life of the RDMC and a previous Academy of Science committee enabled the GMAC Scientific Sub-committee to be more specific about the experiments it wanted to assess before they can begin, and those which could be safely exempted from the guidelines.