Biosafety Guidelines For Research On Genetically Modified ...

APPENDIX 3: INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING GMAC PROPOSAL FORMS
AND ANNUAL REPORT BY IBC
The Institutional Biosafety Committee will use the information provided in the GMAC
‘Proposal Form for Assessment of Genetic Manipulation Work’ to determine the
category into which the project fits and the containment level. GMAC will use the
information in the form to assess proposals falling into Category A. In order to enable
GMAC and the IBC to carry out those functions, a clear statement of what the
applicant proposes to do is needed, and if this cannot easily be fitted into the space
provided, a separate description shall be attached. The following suggestions are
intended to ensure that GMAC has sufficient relevant information to make a prompt
decision on the application.
Title of Project and Aims
When describing the aim of the proposal, include a brief description of the main steps
involved. If both immediate and long term broader aims are included, make clear
which component of the work needs IBC approval (or GMAC advice) now.
If the project is complex and likely to take several years to complete, it will help if the
work to be undertaken first is described separately. If recombinant DNA is ultimately to
be inserted into whole animals or plants, or into bacteria not listed in Appendix 2 of
these Guidelines, it may well be that approval can be given in the first instance for
cloning and characterisation of specific genes or other DNA, with approval for later
stages being possible only after such characterisation. If the stages are made clear to
the Committee, approval or advice for the first stage may be given to enable the work
to start.
If the intention is to import biological material which falls under the Guidelines, the title
may read ‘Intention to import...’.
Source of DNA
If the DNA has already been cloned, please give details of the construct: e.g. who
made it, how it was made, and what is known of its properties.
If several genes or species etc. are to be used, list all of them, because one proposal
may cover them all. For example, if appropriate, request advice for chickens, ducks
and other avian species. This will alleviate the need for repeated applications.
Host Organism
If more than one host is to be used, particularly if different containment levels apply,
clarify when and how each is to be used. Comments made above on dividing a project
into stages may be relevant. Please also complete the supplementary information form
for experiments involving whole plants.
Vectors
Make the description for prokaryotic vectors as broad as is necessary to cover the
intended work. For example, specify ‘non-conjugative plasmids such as pBR322 and
pUC9’ if the project is likely to require a range of specific vectors as the project
progresses. If only pBR322 and pUC9 are requested, the approval will be limited to
the two vectors and will not cover the many closely related vectors which may turn out
to be more useful.
Appendix - Page 8