The Biosafety Research Road Map: The Search for Evidence to Support Practices in Human and Veterinary Laboratories

DOI
Publisher DOI
PubMed ID
37342514
Abstract
Introduction: Lack of evidence-based information regarding potential biological risks can result in inappropriate or excessive biosafety and biosecurity risk-reduction strategies. This can cause unnecessary damage and loss to the physical facilities, physical and psychological well-being of laboratory staff, and community trust. A technical working group from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OIE), World Health Organization (WHO), and Chatham House collaborated on the Biosafety Research Roadmap (BRM) project. The goal of the BRM is the sustainable implementation of evidence-based biorisk management of laboratory activities, particularly in low-resource settings, and the identification of gaps in the current biosafety and biosecurity knowledge base.

Methods: A literature search was conducted for the basis of laboratory design and practices for four selected high-priority subgroups of pathogenic agents. Potential gaps in biosafety were focused on five main sections, including the route of inoculation/modes of transmission, infectious dose, laboratory-acquired infections, containment releases, and disinfection and decontamination strategies. Categories representing miscellaneous, respiratory, bioterrorism/zoonotic, and viral hemorrhagic fever pathogens were created within each group were selected for review.

Results: Information sheets on the pathogens were developed. Critical gaps in the evidence base for safe sustainable biorisk management were identified.

Conclusion: The gap analysis identified areas of applied biosafety research required to support the safety, and the sustainability, of global research programs. Improving the data available for biorisk management decisions for research with high-priority pathogens will contribute significantly to the improvement and development of appropriate and necessary biosafety, biocontainment and biosecurity strategies for each agent.
Date Issued
2023-06
Publication Type
Article
Subject(s)
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Blacksell, Stuart D.
Dhawan, Sandhya
Kusumoto, Marina
Le, Kim Khanh
O'Keefe, Joseph
Kozlovac, Joseph
Almuhairi, Salama Suhail
Sendow, Indrawati
Scheel, Christina M.
Ahumibe, Anthony
Masuku, Zibusiso M.
Bennett, Allan M.
Kojima, Kazunobu
Harper, David R.
Hamilton, Keith
Additional Credits
Journal
Applied biosafety
Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert
ISSN
1535-6760
Access(Rights)
open.access
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