State-of-the-art in biosafety and biosecurity in European countries.

Anna Bielecka,Ali Akbar Mohammadi

doi:10.1007/s00005-014-0290-1

Abstract

The terms biosafety and biosecurity are widely used in different concepts and refer not only to protection of human beings and their surrounding environment against hazardous biological agent, but also to global disarmament of weapons of mass destruction. As a result, the biosafety and biosecurity issues should be considered interdisciplinary based on multilateral agreements against proliferation of biological weapons, public health and environmental protection. This publication presents information on both, international and national biosafety and biosecurity legislation. Status of national implementation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, penalization issues and measures to account for and secure production, use, storage of particularly dangerous pathogens or activities involving humans, plants and animals where infection may pose a risk have been analyzed. Safety and security measures in laboratories have been studied. Moreover, dual-use technology and measures of secure transport of biohazard materials have been also taken into account. In addition, genetic engineering regulations, biosecurity activities in laboratories and code of conducts have been investigated, as well.

Highlights

IntroductionThe terms biosafety and biosecurity are widely used in different concepts and frameworks which basically include best practices in working safely and securely with biological agents and toxins in different workplaces and environments
The terms biosafety and biosecurity are widely used in different concepts and frameworks which basically include best practices in working safely and securely with biological agents and toxins in different workplaces and environments.biosafety and biosecurity initiatives refer to protection of human beings and their surrounding environment against hazardous biological agent, and to global disarmament of weapons of mass destruction
The terms biosafety and biosecurity are widely used in different concepts and refer to protection of human beings and their surrounding environment against hazardous biological agent, and to global disarmament of weapons of mass destruction

Summary

Introduction

The terms biosafety and biosecurity are widely used in different concepts and frameworks which basically include best practices in working safely and securely with biological agents and toxins in different workplaces and environments. Final Declaration of the Seventh Review Conference calls for ‘‘need to implement safety and security measures to protect human populations and the environment, including animals and plants’’ in accordance to article II (Final Declaration of the Seventh Review Conference 2012a), ‘‘need to ensure safety and security of microbial or other biological agents or toxins in laboratories, facilities, and during transportation, to prevent unauthorized access. As well as ‘‘need to national implementation measures’’ regarding standards on biosafety and biosecurity, awareness among relevant professionals in public sector and sciences, promulgation of codes of conduct, training and education programs, capability building for surveillance and detection of outbreaks (IHR), equipment and means of delivery control of transport in accordance to paragraph 13 of article IV (Final Declaration of the Seventh Review Conference 2012b). Apart from legally binding agreements and legislative measures, biorisk management standards play supportive

Objectives

Conclusion