Licences needed for GM strains

New gene modified mouse strains

The University of Oulu Biocenter prepares gene modified strains of mice as a service. The Biocenter Oulu has a project licence for these operations that includes the procedures for producing the first pups of a new strain. GM mice are born in the mice barrier, and the strains are maintained within the barrier.

Before the new strain is produced

• The researcher must apply a project licence for the research
• A GM register notification of the new strain must be submitted to the KEKS GM register

When an existing GM animal strain is intended for use in an animal experiment, a project licence must be applied for at the Animal Experiment Board (Hankelupalautakunta, ELLA).

 

Crossing existing GM strains

• If neither strain that will be crossed have problems with wellbeing, the researcher submits an internal licence application to KEKS via Provet.
• If one or both strains have characteristics that are harmful in terms of the animal wellbeing, a project licence must be applied for at ELLA.
• If there is suspicion that the new hybrid animal has problems in terms of wellbeing, a project licence must be applied for at ELLA.
• A GM register notification on GM cross-breeding must be submitted to the KEKS GM register.

Maintaining a GM strain

• When gene manipulation does not cause harm to the animal wellbeing, an internal licence is sufficient for maintaining and breeding the strain.
• If gene manipulation does or will compromise animal wellbeing, even maintaining the GM strain requires a project licence.
• In the event that, contrary to predictions, characteristics that compromise animal wellbeing later appear, a project licence must be applied for retroactively.
• The licence guidelines for gene modified animal strains are available on the ELLA website.