The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Consequential Amendments and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2009

Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 2002

5.  In regulation 2 of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 2002(1) (interpretation), insert the following definitions in the appropriate alphabetical place—

““biological matter” means anything (other than an entity mentioned in the definition of organism) which consists of or includes—

(a)

tissue or cells (including gametes or propagules) or subcellular entities, of any kind, capable of replication or of transferring genetic material, or

(b)

genes or other genetic material, in any form, which are so capable,

and it is immaterial, in determining if something is or is not biological matter, whether it is the product of natural or artificial processes of reproduction or whether or not it has ever been part of a whole organism;”;

“human admixed embryo” has the same meaning as it has in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 by virtue of section 4A(6) and (11) of that Act(2);

“human embryo” means an embryo within the meaning given in the provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990(3) (apart from section 4A) by virtue of section 1(1) and (6) of that Act; and

“organism” means any acellular, unicellular or multicellular entity (in any form and whether or not it is the product of natural or artificial processes of reproduction), other than humans, human embryos or human admixed embryos; and, unless the context otherwise requires, the term also includes any article or substance consisting of or including biological matter;”.

(1)

S.I. 2002/2443; there are no relevant amending instruments.

(2)

1990 c. 37. Section 4A was inserted into the 1990 Act by section 4 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22) (“the 2008 Act”).

(3)

Section 1(1) was substituted by section 1(2) of the 2008 Act and section 1(6) was inserted into the 1990 Act by section 1(5) of the 2008 Act.