Laboratory biosecurity guidance


Book Description

The Laboratory biosecurity guidance is a revision of the first edition of the WHO Biorisk management - Laboratory biosecurity guidance, 2006. As introduced in the 4th edition of the Laboratory biosafety manual (LBM4), the novel risk- and evidence-based approach is applied for biosecurity in this guidance. The guidance is intended to help researchers, biosafety/biosecurity officers and other laboratory personnel properly assess and manage risks inherent to high-consequence research. Furthermore, it contains a template for biosecurity risk assessment in the laboratory to prevent theft, misuse and unauthorized access to biological material, and also includes a two-tier approach for national oversight of biological risk management as well as a hybrid approach with risk- and list-based elements to regulate high-consequence material.




Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information in Tax Matters, Second Edition


Book Description

This publication contains the following four parts: A model Competent Authority Agreement (CAA) for the automatic exchange of CRS information; the Common Reporting Standard; the Commentaries on the CAA and the CRS; and the CRS XML Schema User Guide.




Human Germline Genome Modification and the Right to Science


Book Description

The advent of the CRISPR/Cas9 class of genome editing tools is transforming not just science and medicine, but also law. When the genome of germline cells is modified, the modifications could be inherited, with far-reaching effects in time and scale. Legal systems are struggling with keeping up with the CRISPR revolution and both lawyers and scientists are often confused about existing regulations. This book contains an analysis of the national regulatory framework in eighteen selected countries. Written by national legal experts, it includes all major players in bioengineering, plus an analysis of the emerging international standards and a discussion of how international human rights standards should inform national and international regulatory frameworks. The authors propose a set of principles for the regulation of germline engineering, based on international human rights law, that can be the foundation for regulating heritable gene editing both at the level of countries as well as globally.




Management of Animal Care and Use Programs in Research, Education, and Testing


Book Description

AAP Prose Award Finalist 2018/19 Management of Animal Care and Use Programs in Research, Education, and Testing, Second Edition is the extensively expanded revision of the popular Management of Laboratory Animal Care and Use Programs book published earlier this century. Following in the footsteps of the first edition, this revision serves as a first line management resource, providing for strong advocacy for advancing quality animal welfare and science worldwide, and continues as a valuable seminal reference for those engaged in all types of programs involving animal care and use. The new edition has more than doubled the number of chapters in the original volume to present a more comprehensive overview of the current breadth and depth of the field with applicability to an international audience. Readers are provided with the latest information and resource and reference material from authors who are noted experts in their field. The book: - Emphasizes the importance of developing a collaborative culture of care within an animal care and use program and provides information about how behavioral management through animal training can play an integral role in a veterinary health program - Provides a new section on Environment and Housing, containing chapters that focus on management considerations of housing and enrichment delineated by species - Expands coverage of regulatory oversight and compliance, assessment, and assurance issues and processes, including a greater discussion of globalization and harmonizing cultural and regulatory issues - Includes more in-depth treatment throughout the book of critical topics in program management, physical plant, animal health, and husbandry. Biomedical research using animals requires administrators and managers who are knowledgeable and highly skilled. They must adapt to the complexity of rapidly-changing technologies, balance research goals with a thorough understanding of regulatory requirements and guidelines, and know how to work with a multi-generational, multi-cultural workforce. This book is the ideal resource for these professionals. It also serves as an indispensable resource text for certification exams and credentialing boards for a multitude of professional societies Co-publishers on the second edition are: ACLAM (American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine); ECLAM (European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine); IACLAM (International Colleges of Laboratory Animal Medicine); JCLAM (Japanese College of Laboratory Animal Medicine); KCLAM (Korean College of Laboratory Animal Medicine); CALAS (Canadian Association of Laboratory Animal Medicine); LAMA (Laboratory Animal Management Association); and IAT (Institute of Animal Technology).




Human Genome Editing


Book Description

Genome editing is a powerful new tool for making precise alterations to an organism's genetic material. Recent scientific advances have made genome editing more efficient, precise, and flexible than ever before. These advances have spurred an explosion of interest from around the globe in the possible ways in which genome editing can improve human health. The speed at which these technologies are being developed and applied has led many policymakers and stakeholders to express concern about whether appropriate systems are in place to govern these technologies and how and when the public should be engaged in these decisions. Human Genome Editing considers important questions about the human application of genome editing including: balancing potential benefits with unintended risks, governing the use of genome editing, incorporating societal values into clinical applications and policy decisions, and respecting the inevitable differences across nations and cultures that will shape how and whether to use these new technologies. This report proposes criteria for heritable germline editing, provides conclusions on the crucial need for public education and engagement, and presents 7 general principles for the governance of human genome editing.







Biodefense in the Age of Synthetic Biology


Book Description

Scientific advances over the past several decades have accelerated the ability to engineer existing organisms and to potentially create novel ones not found in nature. Synthetic biology, which collectively refers to concepts, approaches, and tools that enable the modification or creation of biological organisms, is being pursued overwhelmingly for beneficial purposes ranging from reducing the burden of disease to improving agricultural yields to remediating pollution. Although the contributions synthetic biology can make in these and other areas hold great promise, it is also possible to imagine malicious uses that could threaten U.S. citizens and military personnel. Making informed decisions about how to address such concerns requires a realistic assessment of the capabilities that could be misused. Biodefense in the Age of Synthetic Biology explores and envisions potential misuses of synthetic biology. This report develops a framework to guide an assessment of the security concerns related to advances in synthetic biology, assesses the levels of concern warranted for such advances, and identifies options that could help mitigate those concerns.




Synthetic Biology


Book Description

This is the only book to focus on industrial and environmental applications of synthetic biology, covering 17 of the most promising uses in the areas of biofuel, bioremediation and biomaterials. The contributions are written by experts from academia, non-profit organizations and industry, outlining not only the scientific basics but also the economic, environmental and ethical impact of the new technologies. This makes it not only suitable as supplementary material for students but also the perfect companion for policy makers and funding agencies, if they are to make informed decisions about synthetic biology. Largely coordinated by Markus Schmidt, a policy adviser, and the only European to testify in front of the bioethics commission of the Obama administration.




The Fish-Vet Dialogue: Improving communication and collaboration in aquatic organism health management


Book Description

The purpose of this Circular article is to inform national policymakers and other stakeholders of issues related to aquatic organism health and aquaculture biosecurity throughout the aquaculture supply and value chains, and to promote more effective collaboration between stakeholders to minimize risks of disease introduction, transmission, spread and associated production losses. [Author] A survey was undertaken to determine country organizational arrangements for managing the health of aquatic organisms and aquaculture biosecurity, including with respect to the direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. [Author] A platform was then developed to inform respective mandates, share experiences and identify areas for collaboration with these matters as a basis for generating recommendations for further development of aquatic organism health and biosecurity systems. [Author] This led to the Fish-Vet Dialogue: Exploring Collaboration on Managing Health of Aquatic Organisms, an event organized by FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), with the support of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and the Norwegian Veterinary Institute (NVI). [Author] Key aspects from the survey and the Fish-Vet Dialogue included: enhancing collaboration by engaging stakeholders and establishing public–private partnerships (PPPs); addressing the wider scope of collaboration, especially the One Health Initiative; scientific collaboration; and transparency in support of biosecurity and trade. [Author] Collaboration across government agencies is the minimum requirement, and policies or regulations are unlikely to succeed unless developed together with stakeholders, through PPPs. [Author] Trust and transparency are also required at all levels of management to support biosecurity and trade. [Author] Furthermore, the One Health approach should be taken to promote regional and international cooperation to improve biosecurity along the aquaculture supply and value chain and reduce the risks of disease outbreaks. [Author] Future actions to be taken include continuing the Fish-Vet Dialogue as a regular event to raise awareness, share experiences and generate collaborative actions to support a sustainable global aquaculture industry. [Author]