[Introduction to the Approval System for Research and Developmental Experiments with Living Modified Organisms]

In November 2023, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) revised the “Public Notice on the Transboundary Movement, etc. of Living Modified Organisms Act” to improve the national approval system for the research and development of living modified organisms. This revision included the addition of neomycin and spectinomycin resistance genes to the list of drug-resistance genes exempt from national approval and allowed the submission of either electronic documents or paper documents for approval applications. These changes are expected to reduce the administrative burden on researchers, and enhance research efficiency. The KDCA plans to continue regulatory improvements to ensure biosafety and promote research activities.