Highlights of Biosafety and Biosecurity Month (BBM) at the AIMST University and Perspectives on Biorisk Management

Subhash Janardhan Bhore

doi:10.6026/97320630015568

Subhash Janardhan Bhore

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.6026/97320630015568

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Abstract

The innovations and developments in microbiology, biomedical sciences, and biotechnology come along with the challenges of biological risk (biorisk). Biorisk is defined as the "combination of the probability of occurrence of harm and the severity of that harm where the source of harm is a biological agent or toxin." Biorisk is a borderless challenge to the global community. Hence, all universities, colleges, centers of bio-excellence, and institutions of higher learning can and should do their bit to educate technical members, academicians, students and stakeholders (LASS) for the efficient and comprehensive biorisk management (BRM) for our and future generations safety and sustainability.

Highlights

Advancements in biotechnology and research on biological agents and their derivatives necessitate the effective implementation of biorisk management (BRM) at all levels, bearing in mind the potential of dual biological use and ability of microorganisms to move rapidly around the world in a very short time [2]
Dr Anita Anthonysamy from DBM highlighted that the Biosafety Act-2007 in Malaysia provides checks and balances for products of modern biotechnology, such as living modified organisms (LMOs) such that they do not pose unacceptable risks, for reaping the real benefits of modern biotechnology towards national growth and development
institutional biosafety committee (IBC) website was launched on the 5th April 2019 by Emeritus Professor Dr Harcharan Singh (Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of AIMST University) [5]

Summary

Introduction

For the efficient and comprehensive BRM, biosafety and biosecurity awareness among laboratorians, academicians, students, and stakeholders (LASS) is essential [3, 4]. The institutional biosafety committee (IBC) of the AIMST University [5] and the occupational safety, health, and environment committee (OSHEC) [6] had observed April-2019 as the 'Biosafety and Biosecurity Month (BBM)' aimed to promote the awareness about the importance of biosafety and biosecurity among its LASS Events such as (1) launching of institutional biosafety committee (IBC) website for university, (2) biosafety training workshop, (3) a ‘symposium on chemical, biological and health safety’, (4) briefing and a mock fire drill, and (5) ‘poster presentation competition’ were organized to promote awareness among university’s LASS.

Results

Conclusion