Pitfalls of genetic recording

The Genetic Engineering Records Ordinance (GenTAufzV) specifies which information must be included in records regarding genetic engineering work in genetic engineering facilities. The format of the genetic engineering records is not specified. Form Z is often used for this purpose in genetic engineering facilities, although different versions are used by different operators (see also the AGCT Genetic Engineering report ). from May 2022 ). In form Z, in addition to a risk assessment for the donor and recipient organisms used, information on the cloned nucleic acids should also be entered. For example, questions are asked about the risk potential of the nucleic acid. However, this does not mean a classification into categories (similar to risk groups 1-4 of the organisms), but rather a query about whether the nucleic acid used has, for example, oncogenic potential. The ZKBS database on nucleic acids with oncogenic potential is helpful here , but it makes no claim to completeness. If there is no risk potential for the nucleic acid, then “without risk potential” should be entered in the corresponding column. In addition, questions are often asked about the degree of purification of the cloned nucleic acid. It should be noted here whether, for example, a defined, purified nucleic acid (e.g. a cDNA or PCR fragment) or a mixture of nucleic acids (e.g. in a metagenomic analysis) was used in the production of the genetically modified organism (GMO).