The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was adopted on 29 January 2000 and entered into force on 11 September 2003.[11] It is an international treaty that governs the transfer, handling, and use of genetically modified (GM) organisms. It is focussed on movement of GMOs between countries and has been called a de facto trade agreement.[12] One hundred and fifty-seven countries are members of the Protocol and many use it as a reference point for their own regulations.[13]