The purpose of the Norwegian Gene Technology Act is "to ensure that
the production and use of genetically modified organisms takes
place in an ethically and socially justifiable way, in accordance
with the principle of sustainable development and without
detrimental effects on health and the environment." (Section 1,
Purpose of the Act). In section 10 of the Act (Approval) it is
stated that "...Deliberate release of genetically modified
organisms may only be approved when there is no risk of detrimental
effects on health or the environment. In deciding whether or not to
grant the application, significant emphasis shall also be placed on
whether the deliberate release represents a benefit to the
community and a contribution to sustainable development...." The
Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board has an important role in
assessing whether a proposed deliberate release ("deliberate
release" includes all activities using LMOs that does not take
place in facilities approved for contained use) takes place in an
ethically and socially justifiable way, in accordance with the
principle of sustainable development, and if the deliberate release
represents a benefit to the community. Sustainability, benefit to
the community and ethics in the assessment of genetically modified
organisms" is a discussion paper by the Board on how to implement
the concepts of sections 1 and 10 of the in the Gene Technology Act
in assessment of LMOs.
The discussion paper was revised in 2006 with the English version
published in 2009. Links to both the original paper from 2003 and
the second edition are provided below.
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