Work with gene modified organisms

For all activities including GMM, the principles of good microbiological practice and the following principles of good safety and hygiene in the workplace apply:    

• ensure that the workplace and the environment are exposed to GMM at the lowest possible level    
• apply technical control measures at the source and supplement these measures with appropriate protective clothing and personal protective equipment if necessary;    
• regularly test and maintain appropriate control measures and equipment,    
• possibly controlling the presence of viable organisms from activities outside the primary physical containment,    
• give appropriate training to the staff,    
• if necessary, establish committees or subcommittees for biological safety,    
• if necessary, design and implement locally practical regulations for staff safety,    
• set up biological hazard labels where needed,    
• ensure that staff have washing and decontamination facilities    
• keep satisfactory records    
• prohibit eating, drinking, smoking, using cosmetics or storing food for human consumption in the work area    
• prohibit mouth pipetting,    
• provide written instructions for standard operating procedures where necessary to ensure safety,    
• have effective disinfectants and special disinfection procedures available in case of spread of GMM,    
• possibly provide for safe storage of contaminated laboratory equipment and materials.

Procedure for working with genetically modified animals and combination use of animals and genetically modified microorganisms (animals / GMM)The Animal Facility's procedure for working in animal rooms with genetically modified animals and combination use of animals and genetically modified microorganisms (animals / GMM) is based on such work being done here only class 1 or 2, ie assessed with no or very little risk.    

• Before using the room, the research team shall send a notification of approval of the included combination use to the Health and Social Directorate on a prescribed form. The Animal Department must have a copy of this before the project start-up.    
• The room/unit (approved area for combination use) must be locked out of ordinary working hours.    
• Combined use animal rooms shall have lockers that function as locks.    
• The room must meet the general requirements for animal rooms, that is, easily decontaminable, solid materials and washable surfaces, with spaces such as rodent barrier and door with inspection window.    
• The internal control manual should be available in the front room.    
• The room should have its own color room chart / log form when the animal / GMM activity takes place.    
• In-room activity is logged on log form.    
• The staff (incl. The research group) uses their own coveralls (hood, gloves, mouth ties and skirt) when working in the room.    
• There should be a hand disinfectant available in the room.    
• It should be a means of surface disinfection in the room.    
• All cages must be transported closed, to chip flow station. From here, tile will go into closed container for incineration. All waste from animal rooms with combination use is packed in sealed waste bags, then in garbage bags before being transported away, for incineration.    
• Spills should be dried up immediately and the area (bench, floor) disinfected.    
• Broken glass and sharp objects must be collected in a suitable sting / cutting container.    
• When the animal / GMM work is completed and the project is completed, rooms and equipment must be decontaminated before the room is used for new experiments.

See also the GMM Regulations (regulation on the contained use of genetically modified microorganisms). This regulation applies to those who work with genetically modified material in combination with animals - see Appendix IE, IF and IIB

The Regulations on the labeling, transport, import and export of genetically modified organisms apply for such activities.

The Animal facilitys measures in the incident of release of GMOs:    

• In low-risk classification (1 or 2: no special measures other than drying and disinfecting the area (bench, floor). Wash hands and possibly rinse eyes.    
• For high risk classification: Not applicable at the Animal Departments, UiB. New approval of area (in this case P3-lab) must be sought if this becomes relevant.

Risk assessment:The animal department conducts risk assessments regarding the staging of the animals, transport of the animals between the departments, and waste management.

In the animal welfare regulation there is a slight distinction between GMO and GAA.

GM organisms are those which have been genetically changed by use of genetechnological methods and GAA organisms include both GM organisms and those carrying 'natural' mutations.

So to use GM –animals you need the achieve permission from 2 different authorities - Norwegian Directorate of Health (Helsedirektoratet) and The Norwegian Food safety Authority (Mattilsynet