[Important points in virus research using recombinant DNA technology]

Abstract

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity seeks to protect biological diversity from potential risks posed by living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology. This protocol was ratified in Japan after establishing domestic law and regulations for the protocol. In the domestic law, use of LMOs is classified into type 1 use (use without containment measures) and type 2 use (use with containment measures). According to the domestic law, most of experiments using recombinant viruses are required for the approval of the Minister. In this article, we will explain Cartagena Protocol and the Japanese domestic low and indicate an example of application form for the approval of the Minister.