History of Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of laboratory biosafety and biosecurity?

To improve patient treatment outcomes

To ensure the safe handling of hazardous materials (correct)

To promote innovative medical technologies

To develop biological weapons

Which individual is associated with establishing the biological weapons program in 1943?

Albert Einstein

Franklin D. Roosevelt (correct)

Newell A.

Ira L. Baldwin

What factor is NOT part of the learning outcome for students in this unit?

Understanding the importance of biosafety and biosecurity

Awareness of laboratory hazards and accidents

Ability to conduct laboratory experiments independently (correct)

Knowledge of historical biosafety developments

Which statement best describes basic concepts of laboratory biosafety?

They include procedures to minimize exposure to biohazards. Signup and view all the answers

Which organization would likely be involved in promoting laboratory biosafety and biosecurity?

World Health Organization Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reason for implementing laboratory safety precautions?

To protect laboratory personnel and prevent contamination Signup and view all the answers

What do laboratory biosafety cabinets primarily protect against?

Cross-contamination of samples Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes standard precautions in laboratory settings?

They apply universally to all laboratory procedures. Signup and view all the answers

In what year did the CDC classify etiological agents based on hazard?

1974 Signup and view all the answers

Who were the key figures in analyzing epidemiological studies of laboratory-based outbreaks in 1966?

Arnold Wedum and Morton Reitman Signup and view all the answers

Which document was published by WHO between 1983 and 1984?

Laboratory Safety Manual Signup and view all the answers

What significant event occurred in the US regarding biosafety regulations in 1996?

Enactment of the Select Agent Regulations Signup and view all the answers

What type of cabinets did Arnold Wedum describe for preventing infections from tuberculosis?

Ventilated cabinets Signup and view all the answers

Which country's Biological Agents and Toxins Act was enacted in 2005 with harsher penalties than the US regulations?

Singapore Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary concern of the 2001 revision of the Select Agent Regulations in the US?

Response to the Anthrax attacks Signup and view all the answers

What did the Danish Parliament authorize in 2008?

Possession and handling of biological agents Signup and view all the answers

In which year did Arnold Wedum become recognized as a pioneer of biosafety?

1994 Signup and view all the answers

Which two locations consolidated the remaining smallpox virus in 1967?

CDC and a Russian laboratory Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety?

To ensure safe transfer and use of living modified organisms Signup and view all the answers

Which organization is responsible for the establishment of the National Biosafety Framework in the Philippines?

National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a content area of the WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual?

Procedures for product marketing Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the focuses of the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines?

Evaluating proposals with biosafety concerns Signup and view all the answers

What does the DA Administrative Order No. 8 address?

Policies on importation and release of biotechnology-derived plants Signup and view all the answers

Which biosafety organization focuses on providing guidance within North America?

American Biological Safety Association Signup and view all the answers

What aspect did the CEN Workshop Agreement 15793 primarily address?

Laboratory biorisk management Signup and view all the answers

Who established the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines?

Executive Order 430 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of biosafety measures?

Protecting workers from hazards Signup and view all the answers

What does biosecurity specifically ensure in laboratories?

The security of biological materials Signup and view all the answers

Which organization assists in creating national biosafety and biosecurity policies in the Philippines?

Philippine Biosafety and Biosecurity Association (PhBBA) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the relationship between biosafety and biosecurity?

Biosafety focuses on protecting workers, whereas biosecurity protects biological materials. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect does biosafety NOT primarily address?

Sprouting new methodologies for laboratory experiments Signup and view all the answers

What is a main goal of the Biological Risk Association Philippines (BRAP)?

To serve emergent concerns of biological risk management Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following defines biosecurity in the context of laboratories?

Ensuring safe use and protection of biological materials Signup and view all the answers

What are the main objectives of the European Biological Safety Association (EBSA)?

To provide a forum for discussions on biosafety issues Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Brief History of Laboratory Biosafety

The US biological weapons program started in 1943 during the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt
Ira Baldwin established the initial biological weapons program where biosafety was considered a crucial component
After World War II, Newell A. Johnson modified biosafety design and offered technical solutions for biosafety
In 1966, Arnold Wedum and Morton Reitman analyzed multiple epidemiological studies about laboratory-based outbreaks
In 1974, The CDC classified etiological agents according to their hazard levels
The NIH guidelines for research involving recombinant DNA molecules were published in 1976
The WHO launched their Laboratory Safety Manual in 1983-1984. Around this time, the CDC and NIH published the "Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories"
Arnold Wedum was recognized as one of the pioneers of biosafety in 1994

Brief History of Laboratory Biosecurity

The Select Agent Regulations were established in 1996 by the US government
9/11 saw the development of the Amerithrax attacks and a revision of the Select Agent Regulations
In 2005, Singapore enacted the Biological Agents and Toxins Act. The legislation had stricter penalties than the US Select Agent Regulations. Also in 2005, South Korea implemented their "Act on Prevention Infectious Diseases", which included provisions specifically for "highly dangerous pathogens".
In 2008, the Danish parliament passed legislation granting the Ministry of Health and Prevention authority to regulate the possession, manufacture, use, storage, sale, purchase and distribution of biological agents.

Guidelines on Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity

The Comite Europeen de Normalisation (CEN) published CEN Workshop Agreement 15793 in 2004, focusing on laboratory biorisk management. Developed by experts from 24 countries, the document was updated in 2011.
The WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual provides guidelines for research and health laboratories on biosafety levels, biological safety cabinets, microbiological techniques, disinfection, sterilization, and safety procedures for hazards like chemicals, electricity, ionizing radiation and fire.
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety aims to ensure adequate protection for the safe transfer, handling and use of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) resulting from biotechnology. It aims to assess the risk of LMOs and ensure that they do not negatively impact biodiversity.
Established in 1990, the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) is an interdepartmental committee that focuses on organizational structure, procedures for evaluating biosafety proposals, guidelines for the introduction, movement and release of regulated materials, and procedures for physicochemical and biological containment. The committee includes representatives from the DOH, DA, DOST, and DENR.
Executive Order 514 established the National Biosafety Framework in the Philippines. This Framework outlines the development, adoption and implementation of biosafety policies and guidelines. It also strengthens the NCBP.
DA Administrative Order No. 8 sets out the policies for importing and releasing plants and plant products derived from modern biotechnology.
The DOH, in collaboration with the NCBP, formulated guidelines requiring clinical laboratories to adhere to specific policies on laboratory biosafety and biosecurity (DOH AO No. 2007-0027).

Different Organizations in the Field of Biosafety

The American Biological Safety Association (ABSA) promotes biosafety and biosecurity as a recognized scientific discipline. It guides members on regulatory regimes in North America.
The Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association (A-PBA) is a professional society serving biosafety specialists in the Asia-Pacific region.
The European Biological Safety Association (EBSA) acts as a forum for members to discuss and debate important issues in biosafety. The organization represents professionals working in the field.
The Philippine Biosafety and Biosecurity Association (PhBBA) helps the DA and DOH in creating and implementing national policies for laboratory biosafety and biosecurity.
The Biological Risk Association Philippines (BRAP) responds to emerging concerns related to biological risk management across different fields.

Basic Concepts

Biosafety is a set of practices designed to protect workers from hazardous materials in the laboratory and prevent the spread of harmful agents.
Biosecurity focuses on protecting biological materials and sensitive information within the laboratory environment. Biosecurity aims to prevent unauthorized access, theft, loss or misuse of biological materials.

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Description

Explore the critical milestones in laboratory biosafety and biosecurity from the establishment of the US biological weapons program in 1943 to the development of key safety guidelines. This quiz covers the influential figures and significant regulations that shaped the field over the decades. Test your knowledge on the evolution of safety standards in laboratory environments.