The commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops is subject to regulatory approval at European Union (EU) level. Proposed crops have to undergo a robust, science-based safety assessment, overseen by the independent European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The UK's input to this process is based on the expert scientific advice that Ministers receive from the independent Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE).

The potential impact of antibiotic resistance marker (ARM) genes has received considerable attention in EU deliberations on the risk assessment of GM crops. EFSA published a key scientific opinion on this matter in 2009, available at:

http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/doc/1108.pdf

It focuses on two ARM genes that are present in certain GM crops which have been evaluated for possible EU approval. EFSA has concluded that both of these genes are unlikely to have an adverse effect on human health and the environment as a result of GM cultivation. ACRE has agreed with this conclusion, noting that bacteria with resistance to the relevant antibiotics are already widespread in the environment, and that the likelihood of a functional gene being transferred from plants, to bacteria is extremely low.

The Department funds a wide range of research on antimicrobial resistance and related issues concerning the prevention, detection, diagnosis, control and management of infection. This research is funded through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and the Department's Policy Research Programme.

The Department currently provides funding for health protection research at the Health Protection Agency through the NIHR Centre for Health Protection Research (CHPR). In 2011-12, the CHPR spent £1.2 million on projects relevant to antimicrobial resistance.

The Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre has an infection research theme with £4 million funding over five years. Research on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major focus of the theme. There are also research themes on infection at the Imperial NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University College London.

The NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme is funding a range of projects on health care-associated infection including a £0.4 million study at Queen Mary, University of London on the cost-effectiveness of genetic markers for antibiotic resistance in tuberculosis.

Currently-funded research training awards in infection include a £0.2 million fellowship at University College London on reducing hospital acquired infections due to antibiotic resistant gram negative organisms.