Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA)
The AVA was established to ensure a resilient supply of safe food, to safeguard the health of animals and plants, and to facilitate agri-trade for the well-being of Singapore. GMAC works closely with the AVA in the area of GM food safety, and also in addressing the biosafety aspects of reseach involving GM plants, GM animals, and GM plant-related and animal-related pathogens and pests..
Ministry of Health (MOH)
Over 20 Acts come under the purview of the MOH to regulate public health and safety in Singapore. Notably, its Biological Agents and Toxins Act came into force in January 2006 to regulate the possession, use, import, transfer and transportation of biological agents and toxins that are known to be hazardous to human health. GMAC communicates with the MOH in the area of GM research biosafety.
Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
The MOM’s Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA) requires stakeholders to take reasonable practicable measures to ensure the safety and health of workers and other people that are affected by the work being carried out. Laboratory workers, including those working on GMOs, are protected under the WSHA.
National Environment Agency (NEA)
The NEA plays a major role in protecting Singapore’s environment. It also controls, through its Infectious Diseases Act and its Control of Vectors and Pesticides Act, the importation and possession of vectors capable of transmitting diseases. The NEA will consult GMAC when it comes across applications to import and possess GM vectors.
National Parks Board (NParks)
The NParks is Singapore's authority on Parks & Greenery
Health Sciences Authority (HSA)
The HSA is a multidisciplinary agency in health sciences expertise. Its core capabilities encompass administering the national regulatory frameworks for, among others things, pharmaceuticals, medicinal products, medical devices, and clinical trials.
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
As the lead agency fostering world-class scientific research and talent for Singapore, A*STAR actively nurtures public sector research and development in Biomedical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Engineering. A*STAR provides secretariat support to GMAC.
Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC)
GMAC leverages on existing legislation such as the Animals and Birds Act, Control of Plants Act, the Biological Agents and Toxins Act, and the Workplace Safety and Health Act to implement its guidelines. Singapore statutes can be viewed on AGC’s website.
Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore
The Department of Biological Sciences of the National University of Singapore is one of the best Life Sciences Departments in the Asia Pacific Region. It has built up state-of-the-art research infrastructure to conduct cutting edge research in areas such as Biodiversity and Ecology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Structural Biology and Proteomics, as well as Biotechnology.
School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University
The School of Biological Sciences of the Nanyang Technological University was established in July 2001 to provide students with high quality training in the life sciences. The School encompasses two research centres: the Biosciences Research Centre and the Drug Discovery Centre.
Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL)
Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) is a non-profit organization established in 2002 to undertake cutting edge research in molecular biology and genetics utilizing a broad range of model organisms. TLL is affiliated to the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University.
Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB)
The Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) was established in 1987 at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and later become an autonomous research institute (RI) of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Its mission is to develop and foster a vibrant research culture for cutting-edge basic biomedical sciences and for training high-quality Ph.D. students for the flourishing biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries in Singapore.
National Institute of Education (NIE)
GMAC is committed to its task in educating the public on issues related to genetic modification. We also believe in the dissemination of good knowledge. The GMAC Subcommittee on Public Awareness is chaired by the Director of the National Institute of Education, the sole teacher-training institute in Singapore.
Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE)
The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) is committed towards protecting consumers’ interest through information and education, and promoting an environment of fair and ethical trade practices. CASE is represented on GMAC.
Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO)
The FAO of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat hunger. It acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policies on agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices. It is also a source of knowledge and information.
World Health Organisation (WHO) (Foods derived from Biotechnology)
The WHO has been addressing a wide range of issues in the field of biotechnology and human health, including the safety evaluation of vaccines produced using biotechnology, human cloning and gene therapy.
Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)
Established under the FAO and WHO, the CAC is our recognized body for food standards, guidelines and related texts
National Institute of Health (NIH)
The NIH has published guidelines for research involving recombinant DNA molecules.
Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development Biotechnology (OECD)
OECD’s website contains useful information on the various aspects of biotechnology in relation to food safety, human health, and regulation.
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)
The ICGEB is an international organization dedicated to advanced research and training in molecular biology and biotechnology, with special regard to the needs of the developing world. The Centre promotes the safe use of biotechnology.
International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI)
ILSI is a non-profit, worldwide foundation that seeks to improve the well-being of the general public through the advancement of science. To further the understanding of issues such as food biotechnology and risk assessment, it has brought together scientists from the academia, government, and industry.
International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA)
The ISAAA is a not-for-profit organization that delivers the benefits of new agricultural biotechnologies to the poor in developing countries.
DNA Interactive (DNAi)
This website contains extensive resources on DNA science, including breathtaking animations of molecular machinery and video interviews of scientists who have been involved in unraveling the mysteries of DNA.
United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA)
The USFDA is the federal agency responsible for ensuring the safety of a range of products including foods, human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
The APHIS of the USDA is responsible for protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health, administering the Animal Welfare Act, and carrying out wildlife damage management activities. The regulation of genetically engineered plants and microorganisms falls under the purview of APHIS.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA, together with the USFDA and the USDA, share responsibility in regulating agricultural biotechnology. In accordance with EPA’s mission to minimize risks to human health and to safeguard ecological integrity, EPA is committed to assessing and mitigating risks to human health and the environment from pesticides produced through biotechnology.
Health Canada
Health Canada is the federal department responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health. Among its other responsibilities, Health Canada establishes polices, set standards, and provides advice and information on the safety and nutritional value of food.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
The CFIA provides all federal inspection services related to food and enforces the food safety and nutritional quality standards established by Health Canada.
AgBioForum
AgBioForum provides a platform for academics, private and public sector analysts, and decision makers to publish timely scientific articles to enrich the ongoing public debate regarding the economic and social impacts of agricultural biotechnology.
AgBioWorld
AgBioWorld aims to provide science-based information on agricultural biotechnology issues to various stakeholders across the world. News on the latest advances in plant science, agricultural research and sustainable food production are available through its free electronic newsletter, the AgBioView.
Information Systems for Biotechnology (ISB)
ISB aims to provide information resources to support the environmentally- responsible use of agricultural biotechnology products. The website provides documents and databases pertaining to the development, testing and regulatory review of genetically modified plants, animals and microorganisms within the US and abroad.
Council for Biotechnology Information
The Council for Biotechnology Information provides, from the perspectives of biotechnology companies and trade associations, information on the benefits and safety of agricultural and food biotechnology.
The Alliance for Better Foods
The Alliance supports biotechnology as a safe way to provide for a more abundant, nutritious and higher quality food supply. It encourages fact-based discussion about development in plant biotechnology.
Food Standard Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)
FSANZ is an independent statutory agency established to develop standards and joint codes of practice to cover the content and labelling of foods sold in Australia and New Zealand.
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR)
The Gene Technology Regulator is an independent statutory office holder responsible for administering and enforcing Australia’s regulatory system for the development and use of gene technology. The OGTR provides administrative support to the Gene Technology Regulator
Gene Technology Ministerial Council (GTMC)
The Gene Technology Ministerial Council was established by the inter-government Gene Technology Agreement 2001 to govern the activities of the Gene Technology Regulator.
The Royal Commission on Genetic Modification
The Royal Commission on Genetic Modification was established by the New Zealand Government on 8 May 2000 to look into and report on the issues surrounding genetic modification in the country.
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
The EFSA provides independent scientific advice that underpins the European risk assessment framework with regards to food and feed safety.
National Centre for Biotechnology Education (NCBE)
The NCBE is part of The University of Reading. It takes no particular stance on GM issues but is concerned with promoting biotechnology education.
Belgian Biosafety Server
The Belgian Biosafety Server focuses on scientific aspects related to the biosafety of human activities carried out using pathogenic and/or genetically-modified organisms or microorganisms. It aims at providing science-based information to people involved in the medical, veterinary, agronomical and biotechnological sectors.
Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST)
An independent qualifying body for food professionals in Europe, the IFST has been established to advance food science and technology for the benefit, safety, and health of the public.
FoodFuture
This website, produced by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) on behalf of the UK food and drink manufacturing industry, aims to provide consumers with facts and figures about genetically modified crops and foods.
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