The one-man/woman GMO facility

To anticipate the result: Even a single person can operate a genetic engineering facility. The Genetic Engineering Act stipulates that the tasks in a genetic engineering facility are to be performed by the operator, project manager, and biological safety officer. This suggests that three people are automatically required to operate a facility. However, the job description indicates that the operator and project manager can be the same person if the operator himself possesses the necessary project management skills. In this case, the operator and project manager can be the same person. However, the areas of responsibility of the operator and the biological safety officer are mutually exclusive, as the primary task of the biological safety officer is to advise the operator on safety-relevant issues relating to facility operation. This does not mean "in-house consultation," however. However, according to Section 16 (2) GenTG, the biological safety officer can also be appointed externally, so that if appointed externally, a one-person/woman GMO facility is possible.

This publication can also be found on the website of the law firm Dr. Kauch .