GenØk – Centre for Biosafety was founded in 1998 and is a non-commercial foundation located in the research environment at UiT The Arctic University of Norway and SIVA innovasjonssenter Tromsø.

GenØk’s vision is safe use of biotechnology. The Foundation conducts research on environmental, health and social consequences of genetic engineering and genetic modification. GenØk also conducts information activities and consulting within their area of competence.

The institute has approx. 14 employees. Our closest partners are UiT The Arctic University of Norway, North-West University (South Africa) and Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil).

In 2007 GenØk was appointed national competence in biosafety.