Team:Baltimore US/Safety
From 2010.igem.org
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- | We contacted iGEM security | + | The Baltimore-US team seeks to join the dialogue regarding the involvement of citizen-scientists in synthetic biology research. As part of this effort, we have taken several steps to become aware of and discuss issues in biosafety: |
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+ | 1. We contacted the iGEM security director, Piers Millet, directly following our organizational meeting in February to address issues of biosafety as soon as we established our team. | ||
- | http://burnafterreading.nationaljournal.com/2010/05/citizen-scientists-attract-fbi.php | + | 2. We hosted a discussion with Michelle Williams of ''National Journal'' which can be viewed here: http://burnafterreading.nationaljournal.com/2010/05/citizen-scientists-attract-fbi.php. The attempt by journalists and editors to frame issues of biosecurity in such as way as to create a sense of drama has reinforced our commitment to promoting the responsible incorporation of citizens into the scientific enterprise. |
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+ | 3. We invited William You, WMD Director of the FBI, to speak to our group only days after he attended the Woodrow Wilson Center's Synthetic Biology forum. http://wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?topic_id=1414&fuseaction=topics.event_summary&event_id=601732 <br> | ||
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+ | 4. We've worked with various individuals within the federal infrastructure to delineate a clearer set of standards and have proposed a Bio-C.O.R.E. (Citizen Outreach Response and Education) volunteer organization to help decentralize bio-safety/security response. | ||
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+ | 5.We've recommended to all our community members to familiarize themselves with the training tools from the American Bio Safety Association located at http://www.absa.org/trainingtools.html as well.<br> | ||
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+ | 6. Several members of our group attended the recent Presidential Summit on BioEthics in Relation to Synthetic Biology.http://www.tvworldwide.com/events/bioethics/100708/default.cfm?id=12536&type=flv&test=0&live=0 | ||
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==== DIY-GEM Baltimore, USA Lab BioSafety Summary ==== | ==== DIY-GEM Baltimore, USA Lab BioSafety Summary ==== | ||
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#* CDC Lab BioSafety certification would be useful training to iGEM team members. | #* CDC Lab BioSafety certification would be useful training to iGEM team members. | ||
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Revision as of 20:00, 27 October 2010
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Overview"Not only would I like to have the participation of the Baltimore DIYbio group, but I think that the two of you have possibly set a standard on how the community can participate in an established event such as iGEM. You're contribution would be invaluable. " Agent You, FBI - WMD Directorate. July 19, 2010 Bio-Safety, Bio-Security, Bio-EthicsAt Baltimore-US, we strongly endorse the democratization of knowledge. However, we recognize that areas of research such as synthetic biology can have far-reaching consequences and the dissemination of knowledge and materials therefore must be balanced with self-responsibility. Because many members of our group were introduced to this topic through the DIY movement, including Jason Bobe and Mackenzie Cowell's DIY-Bio community ( http://diybio.org/ ), we have discussed the issues of safety, security, and ethics since our initial gathering. While our own group has not adopted a consensus position, we continue to discuss issued that surface when promoting increased access to recombinant DNA technologies.
1. We contacted the iGEM security director, Piers Millet, directly following our organizational meeting in February to address issues of biosafety as soon as we established our team. 2. We hosted a discussion with Michelle Williams of National Journal which can be viewed here: http://burnafterreading.nationaljournal.com/2010/05/citizen-scientists-attract-fbi.php. The attempt by journalists and editors to frame issues of biosecurity in such as way as to create a sense of drama has reinforced our commitment to promoting the responsible incorporation of citizens into the scientific enterprise. 3. We invited William You, WMD Director of the FBI, to speak to our group only days after he attended the Woodrow Wilson Center's Synthetic Biology forum. http://wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?topic_id=1414&fuseaction=topics.event_summary&event_id=601732 4. We've worked with various individuals within the federal infrastructure to delineate a clearer set of standards and have proposed a Bio-C.O.R.E. (Citizen Outreach Response and Education) volunteer organization to help decentralize bio-safety/security response. 5.We've recommended to all our community members to familiarize themselves with the training tools from the American Bio Safety Association located at http://www.absa.org/trainingtools.html as well. 6. Several members of our group attended the recent Presidential Summit on BioEthics in Relation to Synthetic Biology.http://www.tvworldwide.com/events/bioethics/100708/default.cfm?id=12536&type=flv&test=0&live=0
DIY-GEM Baltimore, USA Lab BioSafety SummaryThe DIY Bio iGEM team is a diverse group of students with a wide range of ages and varying backgrounds – all with a common interest of genetic engineering. The main Baltimore iGEM team lab is located at the Community College of Baltimore County(CCBC) under the direction of Dr. Tom Burkett. The responsibility of Bio-Safety and Bio-Security extends from the institution to the lab and to each individual team member. Institutional ResponsibilityThe college is accountable for: hazard identification, a written Hazard Communication Plan (HCP), management of Material Safety Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) and safety training. CCBC abides by federal regulations and guidelines developed and enforced by: Center for Disease Control (CDC), National Institute for Health (NIH), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), EnvironmentalProtection Services (EPA), Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). A Hazard Communication Program (HAZCOM) has been established to insure compliance with all directives according to the Code of Federal Regulations (29 CFR 1910.1200). The purpose is to provide all those utilizing college lab facilities with a reference guide to working with hazardous chemicals. This program includes a chemical hygiene plan (CHP) detailing chemical safety information and procedures. Items included in the CHP are:
A critical piece to the hazard communication program includes employee/student training. Science Safety Procedures apply to all campus labs. Each iGEM team member is required to complete lab safety training and signs a safety procedure agreement or risks team eviction. Included in the training are Standard or Good Microbiological Practices (GMP) which are basic practices for working with any microorganism. Also some universal lab safety rules are required practice. Laboratory ResponsibilityThe lab plays a large role in the Biosafety and and BioSecurity of all campus labs including the iGem team lab. A key role is implementing the institutional and Federal and local applicable regulations and designating a Lab Safety Officer. In addition, lab accountability covers:
The iGem lab is equipped for a BSL 2 designation, but our team lab facilities are designated as basic - BioSafety Level 1 - based on the lab design/construction, equipment, practices and operational procedures working with various agents. The recombinant DNA technology used is our labs is safe. Plasmid cloning vectors in combination with Escherichia coli K12 strain have been entirely sequenced. E.coli K12 is a non-pathogenic strain that can’t permanently colonize in healthy humans so routine genetic engineering experiments can safely be performed at BSL 1. Individual Team Member ResponsibilityEach team member is responsible for their own safety while working in the lab as well as for those around them. It is required that all team members abide by government, institutional and lab regulations and policy including personnel safety practices and lab safety practices as emphasized in training. Baltimore iGem team members are committed to staying up to date on current regulation and reducing risk for Physical, Chemical and Biological hazards
SafetyBALTIMORE/USA iGEM TEAM SAFETY CODEWe recognize the importance of each member's personal responsibility to the safety and security of our labs and our work. This includes the duty of not ignoring another's unsafe or possible harmful actions. We are committed to acting in a responsible manner and taking a pro-active approach to staying current with international and national laws, regulations and guidelines. We are dedicated to being informed about principles and practices designed to prevent hostile use of our labs, equipment, materials and products. It is our duty to contemplate the safety and security issues that may arise as an outcome of our projects.
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