The Netherlands Commission on Genetic Modification (COGEM) advises the government on the potential risks of genetic modification to human health and the environment. The scope of COGEM covers all fields, ranging from agriculture to medicine, and from contained use to deliberate release of GMO’s. However, COGEM solely advises on environmental risks and does not advise on food safety, animal welfare, or patient safety (e.g. in relation to gene therapy). In addition to scientific advice on risk assessment, COGEM brings ethical and societal issues related to genetic modification to the attention of the relevant ministers.

COGEM advises both independently and at the request of the Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (Dutch acronym: VROM). Advice requested by the minister is often linked to specific dossiers or notifications. There are three different notification categories: contained use, deliberate release into the environment, and placing on the market of GMOs. ‘Contained use’ are activities involving the use of GMOs in laboratories, production facilities, greenhouses or animal houses. ‘Deliberate release’ means any intentional introduction of a GMO into the environment for which no specific containment measures are implemented to limit their contact with the environment. This mostly involves field experiments with GMOs. ‘Placing on the market’ means making GMOs available to third parties, either in return for payment or free of charge.