Institute for Biosafety in Plant Biotechnology
Head: Professor Dr. Joachim Schiemann
The responsibilities of the Institute for Biosafety in Plant Biotechnology (SB) are defined by the Gene Technology Act, the Plant Protection Act and relevant statutory orders, and by the Research Schedule of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV). In particular this means risk assessment and monitoring of genetically modified organisms (GMO) as well as the parallel cultivation of plants with and without genetic modification (coexistence).
The institute SB is involved in the approval procedure for the release and marketing of GMO. Within the scope of biosafety research, research accompanying the release of plants and their monitoring, safety aspects and possible effects of genetically modified plants (GMP) on the ecological balance and sustainable agriculture are investigated. SB gives advice to the Government, and especially to BMELV, on safety aspects of gene technology and on coexistence. SB is represented in national and international committees for risk assessment of GMO. Co-operation exists with institutions under the auspices of BMELV as well as with national and international research centres, authorities and institutions. SB coordinates the GMO biosafety research of the JKI and the working group “Monitoring accompanying the cultivation of genetically modified plants in the agro-ecosystem”; it is involved in outlining and evaluating drafts and measures ensuring the safety of plant production.
Scientists of the institute SB give lectures at the universities of Lüneburg, Bernburg and Halle, and are among the members of the Editorial Boards of several international journals.
Responsibilities and Research Areas
Release into the field, and placing on the market of GMP
- Elaboration of scientific opinions on applications for the release and placing on the market of GMO
read more - Processing and communication of safety-relevant data for the assessment of GMO (BioSearch Database)
read more - Concurrence at the elaboration and appraisal of risk analyses of transgenic plants on the EU- and on the international level (EFSA, OECD, ISBR)
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Monitoring
- Monitoring the environmental effects of GMP on the agro-ecosystem during cultivation – Research, design of strategies and co-ordination
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Coexistence
- Research and design of strategies to ensure the coexistence of agricultural production methods
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Risk assessment
- Assessing the risks of new characteristics of transgenic plants including their effects on the environment
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