“Agriculture-related organisms” refers to animals (including fish and invertebrates), plants, microorganisms and vaccines used in cultivation, farming, agronomy, husbandry and horticulture or as food.
GMAC has established a subcommittee to evaluate, advice, and make recommendations on proposed releases of agriculture-related genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Singapore.
The terms of reference of the Subcommittee are as follows:
- To maintain and update the Singapore Guidelines on the Release of Agriculture-Related GMOs;
- To designate the various agencies (ie. SFA, NEA, MOH, NParks) to implement the Guidelines using their existing legislation;
- To assess the risks associated with the release of agriculture-related GMOs or recommend to GMAC to appoint an expert panel if necessary;
- To make recommendations to GMAC on the approval for release of agriculture-related GMOs
- To monitor the control of release of agriculture-related GMOs in the environment by the relevant agency
In 1999, GMAC published the Singapore Guidelines on the Release of Agriculture-Related GMOs to ensure the safe movement and use of such organisms in Singapore. In particular, we work very closely with regulatory agencies such as the Singapore Food Agency to ensure that all GM foods commercially available in Singapore are at least as safe as their conventional counterparts.
The Subcommittee on the Release of Agriculture-Related GMOs makes science-based risk assessments of proposed releases of agriculture-related GMOs. Its recommendations are forwarded to the GMAC main committee, which decides whether or not it will endorse the application. The regulatory authorities will take into account GMAC’s advice when considering the official approval of agriculture-related GMOs.
The Subcommittee consists of scientific experts as well as representatives from the regulatory authorities. When necessary, ad hoc expert panels will be appointed for particular cases.
The composition of the Subcommittee is as follows:
| Name |
Role in GMAC |
Designation |
Organisation |
| A/Prof Peter Dröge |
Subcommittee Chairman |
Associate Professor
Division of Molecular and Cell Biology |
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) |
| A/Prof Matthias Maiwald |
Member |
Senior Consultant
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Adjunct Associate Professor
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine |
KK Women's and Children's Hospital
National University of Singapore and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School |
| Dr Hong Yan |
Member |
Senior Lecturer
School of Biological Sciences |
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) |
| Dr Yin Zhongchao |
Member |
Senior Principal Investigator |
Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) |
| A/Prof Pan Shen Quan |
Member |
Associate Professor
Department of Biological Sciences |
National University of Singapore (NUS) |
| A/Prof Ho Han Kiat |
Member |
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacy |
National University of Singapore (NUS) |
| Ms Emily Teo |
Member |
Senior Scientist
Food Safety Monitoring & Forensics Department |
National Centre for Food Science, Singapore Food Agency |
| Dr Huangfu Taoqi |
Ad-Hoc Member |
Deputy Director
Animal & Plant Health Centre
Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) |
National Parks Board (NParks) |
| A/Prof Justin Chu |
Ad-Hoc Member |
Assistant Professor
Laboratory of Molecular RNA, Virology and Antiviral Strategies
Department of Microbiology and Immunology |
National University of Singapore (NUS) |
| Prof Wang Linfa |
Ad-Hoc Member |
Professor & Director
Emerging Infectious Disease Programme |
Duke-NUS Medical School |
For more information on the work of the Subcommittee, please see:
Various Agencies, 6 Nov 2008
Multi-Agency Circular on Biosafety Guidelines for Research, Release and Importation of GMOs
The Straits Times, 25 Mar 2008
All Food Here, Including GM Food, Safe to Eat: AVA
The Business Times, 8 Mar 2008
Guardian of Singapore's Food Supply
The Straits Times, 21 Jun 2006
GM Food Facts
The Straits Times, 21 Jun 2006
Test-Tube Foods Still a Hot Potato
The Straits Times, 9 Jun 2004
GM Food Here Tested for Safety
GMAC, 20 Aug 1999
Singapore Guidelines on the Release of Agriculture-Related GMOs |
