Performance Standards for Safely Conducting Research with Genetically Modified Fish and Shellfish

Information Systems for Biotechnology

These voluntary Performance Standards are intended to aid researchers and institutions in assessing the ecological and evolutionary safety of research activities involving genetically modified fish, crustaceans, or molluscs. Where the need is identified, they are also intended to aid researchers in developing appropriate risk management measures so that the research can be conducted without adverse effects on natural aquatic ecosystems. By helping investigators to systematically address limited knowledge and manage risks, if any are identified, the Performance Standards are intended to expedite research and development involving genetically modified aquatic organisms. They are not intended to impede investigators from proceeding with such work.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Performance Standards and associated documents are the outcome of a broad interdisciplinary collaboration involving numerous individuals. The Working Group on Aquatic Biotechnology and Environmental Safety prepared the first draft of the Standards, convened an international workshop to seek interdisciplinary input into development of the Standards, and guided revisions of the text, flowcharts, and worksheets. The Agricultural Biotechnology Research Advisory Committee, including members appointed in 1992 and 1994, provided important guidance at key steps in this project. Two students at the University of Minnesota made significant contributions: Craig Acomb initiated development of the Flowcharts; and Carolyn Carr contributed significantly to completion of the Flowcharts and to the Assessment of Non-Dioecious Organisms. Approximately 100 participants at the 1993 workshop contributed the majority of the comments upon which this final draft and accompanying documents are based. A number of other individuals from the United States and other countries submitted additional comments. Wendilea LeMay and Julie Karels (University of Minnesota, Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife), and Eva Russnack (USDA, Office of Agricultural Biotechnology) did the majority of the crucial clerical tasks.

This project was generously supported by the following organizations: the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Agricultural Biotechnology, Cooperative Agreement No. 92-COOP-2-8023; the Minnesota Legislature, ML 1993, Chapter 172, Sec. 14, Subd. 12(o), as recommended by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund; Minnesota Sea Grant College Program supported by the NOAA Office of Sea Grant, Department of Commerce, under Grant No. NA9OAA-DSG- 149, Journal Reprint No. 400; the Virginia Graduate Marine Science Consortium and the Virginia Sea Grant College Program supported by the NOAA Office of Sea Grant, Department of Commerce, under federal Grant No. NA9OAA-D- SG045; the North Central Regional Aquaculture Center Program under Grant No. MISU/61-4082S from the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Minnesota. This is article 21,753 of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station Scientific Journal Series.

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Released March, 1998.