Australia
October 12, 2012
Professor Nancy Millis AC MBE PhD Hon DSc (Melb) Hon LLD (Melb) FAA FTSE passed away on 29 September 2012, aged 90 years.
We mourn her passing and extend our sympathies to her family and many close colleagues.
Professor Millis made an extraordinary and abiding contribution to the development of science-based regulation of gene technology in Australia over more than two decades.
In her roles as Chair of the Recombinant DNA Monitoring Committee (RDMC, 1980-1987) and the Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee (GMAC, 1988-2001) she led and developed the scheme of voluntary oversight of Australian gene technology research until the commencement of the Gene Technology Act 2000. She also served as a member of the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee (GTTAC) 2001-2003.
The Gene Technology Regulator, Chairs and members of GTTAC and the Gene Technology Ethics & Community Consultative Committee, and staff of Office of the Gene Technology Regulator wish to acknowledge and pay tribute to Professor Millis’ leadership and legacy.
Professor Millis had a distinguished academic career in science, including pioneering research on fermentation microbiology. She was appointed Professor of Microbiology at the University of Melbourne in 1982, Emeritus Professor in 1987 and awarded a DSc (honoris causa) in 1993. She served as Chancellor of LaTrobe University from 1992 to 2006 and upon her retirement received a further honorary DSc. In 2006, the bacterium Millisa brevis was named in recognition of her contribution to water microbiology. She is one of only a handful of Australian scientists to be honoured on an ‘Australian Legends’ commemorative postage stamp.
She also had a strong commitment to public service, serving on numerous committees and boards. And as everyone who knew her will attest, she was not only a formidable intellect but a warm and compassionate person with a quick sense of humour.
Her enthusiasm and achievements serve as an inspiration.
Professor Millis and gene technology regulation
Professor Millis played a foundational and long standing leadership role in the evolution of Australia's regulation of gene technology, spanning early laboratory work cloning genes through to the commercial scale environmental release of genetically modified (GM) crops.
The first guidelines for undertaking recombinant DNA work in Australia were issued by Academy of Science Committee on Recombinant DNA Molecules (ASCORD) in 1975. In 1980, following the recommendations of a review by ASCORD, the Commonwealth Government assumed responsibility for the monitoring of gene technology research and the RDMC was created in 1981 to provide for the safe development of this new technology.
Professor Millis was involved in the establishment of RDMC and was selected as Chair, a position she held for the tenure of the committee from 1981-1987.
In 1987, the Government announced that the RDMC would be replaced by GMAC. GMAC had wider terms of reference than RDMC and membership was by ministerial appointment. Professor Millis was appointed as Chair, once again leading the committee for its entire duration from 1988-2001.
From the mid-1990s there was increasing interest in formalising gene technology regulation through legislation. Professor Millis and GMAC participated actively in the government and public consultations that informed the development of the Gene Technology Act 2000.
From 1999 to 2001, GMAC worked closely with the Interim Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, providing invaluable critical comment and advice and helping smooth the transition from the voluntary to the legislative scheme, especially in the drafting of the Gene Technology Regulations 2001.
The Gene Technology Act 2000 commenced on 21 June 2001. Professor Millis, along with a number of other GMAC members, served on the inaugural membership of GTTAC, providing for continuity of expert scientific advice and experience.
The legacy of GMAC
The work done by RDMC and GMAC under Professor Millis’ leadership provided a very solid foundation for the work of the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, especially in relation to applying the best available science to the assessment and management of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to ensure protection of Australians and their environment.
The RDMC and GMAC developed a comprehensive set of guidelines for the conduct and assessment of work with gene technology and GMOs, ranging from the Guidelines for Small Scale Work with Recombinant DNA (RDMC, 1981) through to the Guidelines for the Deliberate Release of Genetically Manipulated Organisms (GMAC, 1998).
A key characteristic of the voluntary system was the establishment of Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) which provided for local supervision of research activities. The existing IBC network established by GMAC was key factor in the smooth transition to the legislative scheme and IBCs continue to be a very important part of the regulation under the Act.
GMAC oversaw the first environmental releases of GMOs in Australia, including a range of experimental trials but also the commercial release in 1996 of genetically modified (GM) cotton and GM carnations. GMAC also established procedures for public notification of proposals for environmental releases to address increasing public interest, and this commitment to openness and transparency became enshrined as a hallmark of the Act.
GMAC also contributed to international deliberations on GMOs, including the OECD Group of National Experts on Safety on Biotechnology and discussions under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity which presaged the creation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Engagement in these fora resulted in recognition and praise of Australia’s approach to assessment and regulation.
The foundations laid by Professor Millis and her colleagues continue to underpin the effectiveness of Australia’s regulation of gene technology.
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