The document provides an overview of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) including what constitutes a GMO, procedures that do not result in GMOs, key duties regarding contained use of GMOs, risks associated with GMOs, classification of GMOs, and what to do in the event of a spill in a containment level 2 laboratory. It defines GMOs and discusses bacterial expression systems used to produce proteins of interest from gene inserts. It also outlines the risk assessment approach and regulations for working with GMOs.