The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992

Environmental considerations

4.  The following matters shall also be investigated and assessed in relation to an organism in relation to which a risk assessment under regulation 7 is carried out—

(a) the factors affecting survival, multiplication and dissemination of the modified organism in the environment;

(b) the available techniques for detection, identification, and monitoring of the modified organism in the environment;

(c) the available techniques for detecting transfer of the new genetic material to other organisms;

(d) the known and predicted habitats of the modified organism;

(e) the ecosystems to which the modified organism could be disseminated as a result of an escape;

(f) the anticipated mechanism and result of interaction between the modified organism and the organisms which might be exposed in case of the escape of the organism;

(g) the known or predicted effects of the organism on plants and animals, including pathogenicity, infectivity, toxicity, virulence, vector or pathogen allergenicity, colonisation, predation, parasitism, symbiosis and competition;

(h) the known or predicted involvement of the organism in biogeochemical processes, including nitrogen fixation and pH regulation;

(i) the availability of methods for decontamination of the area in case of release to the environment.