GSK is in the forefront of the development and application of new scientific techniques to discover and develop new medicines and vaccines. GSK routinely uses genetically modified organisms (GMO's) in the research and discovery of new therapeutic agents and also in the efficient manufacture of certain medical products such as vaccines. GMO's are used to identify the genetic targets and causes of disease, and to develop new drugs such as antibiotics and drugs for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and depression. We use a number of different GMO's, predominantly harmless organisms such as disabled strains of the bacterium E.coli and eukaryotic cells in culture.

All work with GMO's within GSK is controlled to the strictest national and international regulations, and we apply best practice across all our facilities. Any work with GMO's is subject to full risk assessment including safe conditions of use, storage and disposal. Any laboratory work with GMO's is performed under conditions of contained use, using containment laboratories appropriate to the risk of the materials handled. The large scale fermentation or propagation of GMO's in research & development is always undertaken in fully contained systems. All processes are performed in closed vessels minimising the risk of release, in line with existing legislation and best practice. All work is controlled by written procedures and regular maintenance checks ensure the processes are operated to the necessary level of contained use.

GSK also manufactures a number of products, such as Hepatitis B vaccine, derived from genetically modified materials. GMO's are sometimes used as intermediates in the manufacturing processes for medicines such as antibiotics, but GSK does not produce any products that are or contain viable organisms. All manufacturing processes also operate under conditions of contained use to prevent the release of any GMO's to the environment. GSK has a policy of routinely treating all waste from our GMO operations, to ensure we do not release viable GMO's from our contained processes into the environment. As a result, all GMO's used by GSK are inactivated prior to disposal by chemical or heat treatment.

GSK does not routinely undertake research & development involving the cultivation of genetically modified plant species. However, one exception is a small scale field trial undertaken in Australia to develop morphine-containing medicines, which are only available on prescription from a doctor. Research is focused on increasing the yield of alkaloids in poppies with enhanced properties to develop more effective pain management medicines. The Australian government strictly controls these trials.