The Netherlands Commission on Genetic Modification (COGEM) is an independent scientific advisory committee composed of scientists and experts. The main functions of COGEM are to give statutory advice to the Dutch Minister of Environment on the risks to human health and the environment from experiments under contained conditions (laboratories, greenhouse, production facilities) with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), and the release and marketing of GMOs, and to inform the Dutch government of ethical and societal issues linked to genetic modification. The scope of COGEM covers all fields, ranging from agriculture to medicine and from contained use to deliberate release of GMOs. However, COGEM solely advises on environmental risks and does not advise on food safety, animal welfare, or patient safety (e.g. in relation to gene therapy). The tasks and structure of COGEM are laid down in the Environmental Protection Act.