Development of appropriate risk- and technology assessment for GMOs

Up to now assessment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the course of their approval process is mainly based on the investigation of environmental and health risks. The aim of the project is to apply the considerably broader perspective of technology assessment (TA) for approval practice. To this end, the known methodological approaches of TA are to be evaluated in a comparative manner and examined as to whether they can usefully supplement the legally prescribed GMO approval practice in order to also record more far-reaching effects on the ecological and socio-economic levels. Finally, a catalogue of assessment categories to be developed from these findings will provide decision-makers with an opportunity to assess GMOs on a case-by-case basis.