Socially responsible market release of GMO medicines

The Commission on Genetic Modification (COGEM) questions the European procedure of granting marketing authorisation for medicines consisting of or containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). COGEM has reservation whether the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) is competent to ensure that all appropriate measures are being taken to avoid adverse effects on the environment that might arise from GMO medicines placed on the market. COGEM therefore recommends a number of improve-ments to this authorisation procedure.