NEW EMERGENCY powers that allow Australian authorities to fast-track the release of genetically modified organisms could pose unacceptable risks, say critics. According to a bill passed by the Senate this month, the Health Minister could hypothetically order the rapid approval of a GM vaccine to fend off a bird-flu pandemic, or a GM bacterium to ”eat” an oil spill. But critics are concerned emergency powers in the Gene Technology Amendment Bill 2007 could lead to inadequately tested GM organisms being released.