November 13th 2006: Does genetically modified maize have an impact on beneficial insects? How does genetically modified oilseed rape affect pollen-collecting bees? How can transgenic pollen and seeds be prevented from spreading in the environment? These are just some of the questions being investigated in biological safety research worldwide. Answers and research findings, which are otherwise usually made public only at scientific conferences and congresses, are accessible to the public at www.gmo-safety.eu .

The information portal was commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and over recent years has become the central information hub for everything to do with biological safety research in Germany. Now the website is also available in English. At www.gmo-safety.eu interested laymen, journalists and politicians can find out what effect the modification of plant DNA has on the ecological interaction between plants and their environment. The primary focus of the site is on crops - maize, oilseed rape, potatoes and cereals. Other topics include the development of more accurate tools for plant genetic engineering and concepts for post-market monitoring. A comprehensive database provides clear information about current and completed research projects, their aims and results. The research information is supplemented by background reports, interviews and insights into the day-to-day work of researchers. The site also presents major international studies on the environmental safety of GM plants.

The website accompanies the BMBF's support programme for biosafety research into genetically modified crops, which was launched in 2001. The ministry's aim is to create greater transparency and to offer the public the opportunity to form an informed opinion about the opportunities and threats of transgenic plants.

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Contact:
Sandra Wilcken
GMO-Safety.eu Team

Genius GmbH
Wissenschaft & Kommunikation
Robert-Bosch-Str. 7
D-64293 Darmstadt
Germany
www.genius.de

tel: ++49 (0) 6151 872 41 04
fax: ++49 (0) 6151 872 40 41
e-mail: press@gmo-safety.eu

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GMO-Safety.eu  - Biosafety research made transparent

The GMO-Safety.eu internet portal provides up-to-date, clear information about the research projects funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) on the biological safety of genetically modified plants. A comprehensive database with summaries of the research topics, methods and results is supplemented by background reports and interviews and insights into the day-to-day work of researchers. The portal makes the findings of biological safety research accessible to the general public and is intended to help people form an informed opinion. It is produced on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research by the project partners Genius GmbH, Darmstadt; TransGen, Aachen and the TÜV Nord Group.