Assignment

BTY580: Biosafety and IPR

1. How would you assess and Identify risk?

1..The principal investigator or laboratory director is responsible for assessing risks in order to determine the necessary biosafety level practices (containment) required to perform a task with a specific organism. This should be done in close collaboration with the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and/or the department of Environmental Health and Safety's biosafety professionals in order to ensure compliance with established guidelines and regulations.

Steps to perform a biological risk assessment:

1. Identify material or agent hazards, and perform an initial risk assessment.

2. Identify laboratory procedure hazards.

3. Make a final determination of the appropriate biosafety containment level, and select additional controls indicated by the risk assessment.

4. Evaluate a worker’s proficiency in safe work practices, and ensure the integrity of safety equipment.

5. Review the risk assessment with the biosafety professional, subject matter expert, and the IBC.

Identification of risk:

■ Understand the biology of the agent

■ Susceptibility and transmission within the host

■ Hazards associated with equipment and procedures

■ Goal:

□ Provide the highest practical protection and the lowest practical exposure

2. What are various risk groups as classified by WHO? Describe each in short.

Ans.

Risk Group 4

Pathogens in Risk Group 4 cause fatal illnesses in humans and therefore pose a risk to laboratory and hospital staff.

There is a very high likelihood that the population will become infected. For the most part, no effective treatment or prophylaxis exists.

Risk Group 3

Pathogens in Risk Group 3 may cause fatal illnesses in humans and also pose a risk to laboratory and hospital staff.

There is a likelihood that the population will become infected, but effective treatment or prophylaxis is available.

Risk Group 2...