Plastic recycling from genetic engineering laboratory areas (Part 2)

In the AGCT-Genetic Engineering.report 01/2023 The topic of "recycling plastic waste" was introduced. In the S1 laboratory, too, the avoidance or the highest possible recycling of such materials is a requirement for establishing climate-neutral research. However, the fundamental paradigm here is that the "non-GMO contamination" of this plastic waste must be ensured in order to comply with the requirements of the Genetic Engineering Safety Ordinance (GenTSV) regarding waste disposal. As already discussed in Part 1 on this topic, this is extremely demanding under standard basic scientific research conditions.

However, there are possible exceptions to this rule. The relevant conditions are further specified in Section 24, Paragraph 1, No. 3b of the GenTSV. It states that: "Solid (and liquid) waste originating from facilities in which exclusively genetic engineering work of safety level 1 is carried out, and which has been generated in direct connection with this genetic engineering work, can be disposed of without special pretreatment,... e.g.... if the waste is so slightly contaminated that harmful effects on the legal interests designated in Section 1 Number 1 of the Genetic Engineering Act are not to be expected."

However, with this "low contamination," the type of GMO used must be considered. For example, viral S1 organisms such as adeno-associated viral particles—due to their high tenacity—or—to give another example—murine ecotrophic retroviral particles—due to their genome-integrating and thus potentially mutagenic potential—pose a threat to the environment that cannot be ruled out. In contrast, the risk group 1 mammalian cell lines, which are probably the most frequently used in cell cultures, pose no risk of infection and whose viability without an appropriate nutrient medium is extremely low, must be assessed differently.

Since the planned application of the aforementioned Section 24 GenTSV constitutes a conditional exception to the standard inactivation of waste from genetic engineering, this measure should always be justified in writing in a separate risk assessment for the relevant S1 genetic engineering projects. Advance notification of the responsible supervisory authority is also highly recommended.

Conclusion : Under certain conditions, the GenTSV permits the disposal of plastic waste from S1 genetic engineering facilities without special pretreatment, such as autoclaving or approved chemical inactivation. If this approach is planned, it would be advisable to supplement the risk assessment accordingly and submit it to the supervisory authority in advance.