Parliament of Australia:Senate:Committees:Community Affairs: Gene technology Bill 2000 - A cautionary tale: Fish don't lay tomatoes


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A cautionary tale: Fish don't lay tomatoes

A report on the Gene technology Bill 2000

November 2000

ISBN 0 642 71094 5

View the report as a single document - (PDF xxKB)

View the report as separate downloadable parts:


Membership of the committee	(PDF 40KB)

List of acronyms	(PDF 40KB)

Preface	(PDF 40KB)

Recommendations	(PDF 40KB)

Chapter 1 - Introduction	(PDF 40KB)
Terms of Reference Conduct of the inquiry Development of the Gene Technology Bill 2000 Acknowledgments
Chapter 2 - Background on gene technology	(PDF 128KB)
What is gene technology? Genes and gene expression Benefits associated with gene technology Risks associated with gene technology GMOs covered by the Gene Technology Bill 2000
Chapter 3 - Objectives of the Gene Technology Bill	(PDF 40KB)
Objective of the Bill The current regulatory regime Measures to achieve the Bill’s objective The precautionary principle A precautionary approach Risk management versus risk prevention Environmental impact The national interest Human medical research Ethical considerations Animal welfare Benefits of gene technology Alternative regulatory models Placement of a moratorium The role of multinationals Implications for trade competitiveness Trial site locations Commercial-in-confidence information Cost recovery Adequacy of public reporting provisions Public confidence Review of gene technology legislation

Chapter 4 - Office of the Gene Technology Regulator	(PDF 24KB)
Structure of the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator Interface with existing regulators – ‘one-stop shop’ model Risk assessment processes Confidential commercial information Powers and investigative capability of the Regulator Cost recovery and funding measures
Chapter 5 - The Expert Committees and Ministerial Council	(PDF 12KB)
Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee Gene Technology Community Consultative Group Gene Technology Ethics Committee The Ministerial Council Rights of third-parties to seek review of decisions
Chapter 6 - Other Issues – Liability, State Opt Out and Mount Gambier	(PDF 13KB)
Term of Reference (i): Liability and insurance issues relating to deliberate and accidental contamination of non-genetically modified crops by genetically-modified crops and how those issues are being addressed in international regulatory systems Contamination Liability and insurance Comparisons with international regulatory systems Concluding comments Term of Reference (j): The validity and practicability of any proposed clause allowing individual States the right to opt out of the scheme and the implications of such an option in the context of Australia’s international trade and related obligations Background The Gene Technology Bill 2000 Constitutional issues International trade obligations The Tasmanian situation Conclusion Term of Reference (k): The alleged genetically-modified canola contamination in Mount Gambier and the processes followed by the Interim Office of Gene Technology in investigating and reporting on the allegations Background Existing system of administrative controls over genetically modified organisms The investigation Conclusions and outcomes from the IOGTR’s investigation Monsanto and the release of GM cottonseeds Issues arising from this case for the future Concluding comment
Minority report by government senators	(PDF 13KB)

Australian Democrats' – Additional comments	(PDF 13KB)

Supplementary report – Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown	(PDF 13KB)

Appendix One	(PDF 13KB)
Organisations and individuals who presented written public submissions and supplementary information to the committee
Appendix Two	(PDF 13KB)
Witnesses who appeared before the committee at public hearings
Appendix Three	(PDF 13KB)
Regulation of gene technology– international comparisons
Appendix Four	(PDF 13KB)
Selected statements of the precautionary principle/approach
Appendix Five	(PDF 13KB)
Approval processes for the intentional release of genetically modified plants into the environment

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