Department of Biology
Health surveillance
The GMO 2000 Regulations do not include a specific requirement for health surveillance for GM work, but other more general regulations, such as MHSWR and COSHH will be applicable in some cases. The requirements for health surveillance depends whether the genetic modification aspects of the work involve a significant risk to health, as determined by the risk assessment.
Health surveillance is appropriate when:
- an identifiable health effect may be related to exposure
- there is a reasonable likelihood that the disease or effect may occur under conditions of the work
- there are valid techniques for detecting indications of the disease or health effect
The General COSHH Approved Codes of Practice (ACoP) contains further interpretation on the need for health surveillance, whilst the ACGM Part 1 details different health surveillance mechanisms to be considered.