BIOSAFETY AND

BIOSECURITY
SARAH JANE B. MABINI – RESEARCH I
FROM: URSULA P. GUCE-BIGOL
SUPERVISING SCIENCE RESEARCH SPECIALIST
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
BIOSAFETY

• A condition in which probability of harm, injury

and damage resulting from the intentional and
damage resulting from the intentional
introduction and/ or use of a transgenic material
is within acceptable and manageable levels.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON BIOSAFETY OF THE
PHILIPPINES (NBCP)

• Executive Order No. 432 , October 15, 1990

• Establishment of NBCP to oversee compliance with
biosafety policies and guidelines of all institutions
engage in modern biotechnology, whether public or
private.
EXECUTIVE ORDER 514-MARCH 17, 2006

• Establishment of the National Biosafety Framework (NBF)

• Strengthening of the NBCP
• To develop national biosafety standards and policies to ensure
the experiments on genetically modified organisms are
performed with adequate safety measures and standards in
consideration of the environment, human and health.
TASKS OF NBCP

• Formulation of policies and guidelines on Biosafety

• First edition 1991
• Originate from the report in 1987 by UPLB, IRRI and DA
• NAST facilitated several rounds of consultation with
private and public sector.
NATIONAL BIOSAFETY FRAMEWORK

Aim:
To enhance the country’s biosafety regulatory
system promoting safe and responsible use of modern
biotechnology while protecting biological diversity,
human and animal health, and the social and cultural well
being of the population.
NBF (NATIONAL BIOSAFETY FRAMEWORK)

• To cover biosafety decision-making process on the management of

genetically modified organisms and its products including:
a. Research and Development
b. Handling and Use
c. Release into the Environment
d. Direct use for food, feed and processing
OBJECTIVES OF NBF

• To strengthen the existing science-based determination of biosafety

to ensure the safe and responsible use of biotechnology.
• Enhance the decision-making system on the application of products
of modern biotechnology.
• Serve as guidelines for implementing international obligations on
biosafety.
AUTHORITY AND FUNCTIONS OF NBF

1. Coordinate and harmonize inter-agency and multi-

sector efforts to develop biosafety policies in the
country.
2. Set scientific, technical and procedural standards on
actions by agencies and other sectors to promote
biosafety in the Philippines.
AUTHORITY AND FUNCTIONS OF NBF

3. Oversee the implementation of NBF.

4. Act as clearing house for biosafety matters.
5. Coordinate and harmonize the efforts of all
concerned agencies and departments.
DOST BIOSAFETY COMMITTEE (BC)

• Ensure that biosafety policies, measures, guidelines and decisions are made on the basis of the best
scientific information available.
• Undertake independent assessment on proposed activities under
A. containment: laboratory/ screenhouse/ greenhouse/ glasshouse/
B. Confinement
C. Risk assessment undertaken by IBC
D. Review qualification of Research Personnel
E. Facilities
F. Prescribe additional measures to eliminate or at least minimize risk.
 BIOSAFETY CLEARING HOUSE PILIPINAS
(BCH PILIPINAS)
Established in 2008 under Article 20 of Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
a. An online portal that serves as one stop shop where users can easily
search and retrieve biosafety related information on GMOs.
b. A collaboration among regulatory agencies and their partners in
providing accurate and timely information to stakeholders to enhance
awareness and understanding about GMOs and its regulations.
INSTITUTIONAL BIOSAFETY COMMITTEE (IBC)

• Responsible for evaluating project proposals involving GMOs under constrained

use and confined test and endorsing project proposals to the DOST BC for
appropriate section.
• Make sure that the environment and human health are safeguarded in the
conduct of any activity involving GMOs by the institution or any of its employers.
• Inform the communities of any plans for confined tests including the contaminant
risks, if any.
BIOLOGICAL SAFETY OFFICER (BSO)

• Shall be designated by the Head of Institution if the proposed activity will

require special containment/ confinement.
• May or may not be a member of IBC.
• More than 1, maybe appointed depending on the needs of the institution.
• Carry out functions assigned by the IBCs and the Head of Institution.
COVERAGE (BSO)

a. Plants (agricultural crops)

b. Pharmaceutical plants
c. Animals
d. Forest trees
e. Microorganims
EXCLUSIONS:

• Classic molecular biology experiment in schools and teaching

laboratories
• Imported non-viable products of GMOs
• Imported non GM organisms for bioremediation and other
purposes
• Imported non GM species
BIOSAFETY LEVELS

• Biosafety Level 1 (BS 1)

• BL 2
• BL 3
• BL 4
BIOSAFETY LEVEL 1 (BS 1)

• For work involving agents of no known or minimal potential

hazard to laboratory personnel and the environment.
• Laboratory is not separated from the general traffic patterns in
the building.
• Work is generally conducted on open bench tops.
• Does not require special containment.
PROCEDURE IN BL 1

• When experiments are in progress, access is limited or restricted at

the discretion of the supervisor.
• Work surfaces are decontaminated once a day and after any spill of
viable material.
• All contaminated liquid or solids are decontaminated before
disposal.
• Mechanical pipetting devices are used.
MECHANICAL PIPETTE
PROCEDURE IN BL 1

• Eating, drinking, smoking and applying cosmetics are not permitted in the work area.
• Persons wash their hands after handling of microorganisms and before leaving the
laboratory.
• All procedures are performed carefully to minimize aerosols.
• Lab coats/ gowns are worn to prevent contamination.
• Contaminated materials that are to be decontaminated at a site away from the lab should
be placed in durable, leak proof container which is closed before being removed from the
lab.
• Insect and rodent control program
FACILITIES

• The lab is designed for easy cleaning

• Bench tops are impervious to water and resistant to acids, alkali, organic
solvents, and moderate heat.
• Laboratory furniture should be sturdy. Spaces between benches, cabinets,
and equipment are accessible for cleaning.
• Each lab contain sink for handwashing.
• Windows should be fitted with fly screens.
FLY SCREEN
LABORATORY BENCH TOPS
BIOSAFETY LEVEL 2 (BL 2)

• For biological agents of moderate potential hazard to personnel

and environment.
• Personnel trained to handle pathogenic agents.
• Access is limited when experiments are in progress.
• Procedures that create aerosols are done inside biological
safety cabinets.
BIOLOGICAL SAFETY CABINET
PROCEDURES IN BL 2

• All in BL 2.
• Only persons who have been advised of the potential hazards
and who meet specific entry requirements (immunization) are
granted entry.
• Special care is taken to avoid skin contamination.
• Biosafety manual is prepared and adopted.
FACILITIES OF BL 2

• All in BL 1
• An autoclave for decontamination of lab wastes must be available.
BIOSAFETY LEVEL 3

• Applicable to clinical diagnosis, teaching, research, or production facilities where work is

done with indigenous or exotic agents that may cause serious or potentially lethal
disease as a result of exposure by inhalation.
• The lab should have special design and engineering features.