COGEM has the statutory role to inform the government on ethical or societal issues involved in genetic modification. Concerning the choice of the subject of the policy reports (‘signaleringen’) it is stated in the Environmental protection act that COGEM has to inform the involved ministers of issues the commission deems important. In the past years COGEM has analysed the GMO debate, reported on de societal consequences of new technological developments, and inadequacies in the GMO regulations. COGEM also issued reports on request of the minister.