Research and analysis

Genetically Modified Organisms: University of Southampton (25/R50/01)

Inviting representations on an application from the University of Southampton to release a genetically modified organism, reference 25/R50/01.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 4 July 2025

Documents

Application from the University of Southampton

PDF, 2.05 MB, 101 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Part B: Information about the release application to be included on the public register

PDF, 229 KB, 7 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

The University of Southampton has applied to Defra for consent to perform a deliberate release of genetically modified Neisseria lactamica for clinical research and development purposes. 

We invite representations on any risks of damage being caused to the environment by the release applied for in this application (reference 25/R50/01). 

You can make representation by: 

• writing to the GM Team, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Second Floor, Seacole Building, Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF, stating the application reference number 

• or emailing gm-regulation@defra.gov.uk (please include the application reference number in the e-mail title) 

Representations will need to be received by 25 August 2025.  Any representations made after this date will not be considered.

Using and sharing your information 

Our research privacy notice explains how we use your personal information. The following changes apply when you make a representation: 

Additional personal data we collect and how it is used

When you make a representation Defra collect and use the content of your letter. We use this additional personal data to fulfil a statutory requirement to consider representations made relating to any risks of damage to the environment of a proposed release of a genetically modified organism.   

Consent to process your personal data

You can withdraw your consent up to 28 days following a decision being made on the application. You can do this by contacting us at  gm-regulation@defra.gov.uk. After this date, we will have anonymised and combined your data with other survey data and will be unable to extract it.   

How long Defra holds personal data

Defra will keep your personal data for either 3 years after the end of the statutory consideration period for the GMO release application or until the end of the release, whichever is longer.

Published 4 July 2025