RESUMO
Risk assessment for the deliberate release of microorganisms into the environment is traditionally carried out on a case-by-case basis. In a similar approach to that used when assessing human pathogenicity, we propose an alternative approach by introducing risk classes to facilitate or complement this type of risk assessment. These consider several sets of scenarios that address the different values that need to be protected. Examples of this approach include risk-class definitions for soil fertility and biodiversity.
Assuntos
Biotecnologia/organização & administração , Biotecnologia/normas , Poluição Ambiental/prevenção & controle , Bactérias/classificação , Bactérias/patogenicidade , Reatores Biológicos/efeitos adversos , Reatores Biológicos/normas , Ecossistema , Europa (Continente) , Humanos , Microbiologia/legislação & jurisprudência , Medição de Risco/métodos , Medição de Risco/normas , Gestão de Riscos , Poluentes do Solo/normas , Abastecimento de Água/normasRESUMO
The transport of infectious and biological material is regulated by a number of international organizations. This mini-review has been compiled to increase awareness within the scientific community of problems caused by differences in terminology (such as infectious materials/substances, biological products, diagnostic specimens, genetically modified microorganisms) and certain technical aspects of the main international guidelines, and to assist policy makers in the creation of harmonized guidelines. A list of relevant Internet resources has been compiled.
Assuntos
Produtos Biológicos , Infecções/etiologia , Meios de Transporte , Animais , Bactérias , Fungos , Guias como Assunto , Humanos , Cooperação Internacional , Parasitos , VírusRESUMO
The current systems for classifying human pathogens on the basis of hazard are well developed and their basic criteria are in general agreement one with another. Of more importance, the safety practices based on these classifications have generally been successful. They have enabled extensive research activities, medical practice and industrial production to be conducted on an ever-increasing scale, involving dangerous microorganisms (e.g. in vaccine production and treatment of infected patients) with a very low incidence of adverse effects on the workers involved and the general public. Although the EU has adopted a harmonised list of agents in groups 1-4 there is as yet no complete agreement among member states and individual microbiologists. The purpose of this paper is to present a historical survey and to discuss the current processes for identifying and classifying the hazards posed by the use of microorganisms in research and technology. This is essential in the design of appropriate methods of counteracting potential risks.