iGEM teams often do projects that have an immediate practical application. But within the context of the iGEM competition, wet-lab projects should remain at an experimental stage. In general, iGEM teams should not release or deploy any genetically modified organisms, or the products of genetically modified organisms, outside the lab.

Any teams that release their genetically modified organisms, or products of their genetically modified organisms, will be referred to the Responsible Conduct Committee.

Instead of aiming toward release, we encourage you to focus on producing the best laboratory results.

What should I do?

Be a Responsible Scientist:

There are many extremely complicated risks involved in releasing a genetically modified organism (GMO) outside the lab. Without extensive testing, you cannot know if your GMO is safe for humans and the environment. It would be dangerous, even reckless, to release a GMO without the proper risk assessment and testing.

Also, releasing GMOs is a sensitive issue in some parts of the world. Because of this controversy, when synthetic biologists seem to act recklessly, they can damage the reputation of the whole field of synthetic biology. As iGEM team members, you are ambassadors between scientists and the public, so it is important that you be excellent scientific citizens!

Keep Your Activities Legal:

In most countries, it is illegal to release GMOs or their products into the natural environment without extensive government permits and approvals. Obtaining these permits and approvals would probably take longer than the entire iGEM competition. Instead, you should focus your efforts on producing the best laboratory results. (And, of course, you should not release your GMOs illegally!)

What actions count as "release"?

If you genetically modify an organism in the lab, you may not deliberately release it outside the lab, even inside a "containing" device.

It is possible to get an exemption from the Safety and Security Committee to take the product from your engineered system outside of the lab - for example to bring it to the Giant Jamboree. You will need to apply to show your product at the Exhibition Space. For an example, the 2018 NUS Singapore-A team worked with the Safety and Security Committee to take the dyes produced by their project outside of the lab. Contact safety at igem.org for more information.

The following examples should clarify what counts as "release" or "not release":

Release

Not Release

Putting your GMOs into the natural environment (soil, lakes, oceans, forests, etc.)
Putting your GMOs into a human body, including your own
Taking the products of your GMOs outside of the lab without explicit permission from the Safety and Security Committee. "Products" includes any chemicals that your GMOs might synthesize, even if you purify them. This also covers bringing them to the Giant Jamboree
Putting your GMOs (or their products) into a containing device, and then putting that containing device into the natural environment
Eating food made using your GMOs (bread, beer, etc.)

Submitting part samples to the Registry, according to the submission guidelines.
Transporting cells or DNA between two labs, in proper packaging, for research or teaching purposes
Releasing software or hardware
Taking the product of your engineered system outside of the with permission from the Safety and Security Committee, for example to bring to show it as the Exhibition Space at the Giant Jamboree
Performing a field experiment using a wild-type organism (see TU-Munich 2013 for an example)
Disposing of sterilized lab waste

Are you unsure?

Email safety AT igem DOT org. We can advise you about whether your experiment counts as "release", and help you think of alternate experiments that are more appropriate for iGEM.

Safety/Do not Release

Do Not Release Policy

What should I do?

Be a Responsible Scientist:

Keep Your Activities Legal:

What actions count as "release"?

iGEM Foundation

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