Frontiers in Public Health (Mar 2016)

Biosafety initiatives in BMENA region: identification of gaps and advances

  • Erum eKhan,
  • Nayla eAhmed,
  • Khalid Riffi Temsamani,
  • Atef eElGendy,
  • Murray eCohen,
  • Ariba eHasan,
  • Hilliard eGastfriend,
  • Jennifer eCole

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2016.00044
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4

Abstract

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AbstractIntroduction: The objectives of this study were to identify and assess the impact of capacity-building biosafety initiatives and programs that have taken place in the broader Middle East and north Africa (BMENA) region between 2001-13, to highlight gaps that require further development, and to suggest sustainable ways to build cooperative regional biosafety opportunities. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted with two aspects 1) thorough desktop review of literature for all biosafety / biosecurity related activities in the study countries such as seminars, conferences, workshops, policy documents, technology transfer, sustained scientific endeavours between countries etc.; and 2) an online survey of scientists in countries in the region to get first-hand information about biosafety and biosecurity initiatives and gaps in their country. Results: A total of 1832 initiatives of biosafety / biosecurity were recorded from 97 web-links,70.68% (n=1295) initiatives were focused on raising general awareness among the scientific community about biosafety/biosecurity/biocontainment. The most frequent areas of interest were biorisk management in biomedical and biotechnology laboratories 13% (n=239), followed by Living Modified Organisms (LMO’s) 9.17% (n=168). Hands-on training accounted for 2.67% (n=49) of initiatives. On line survey results confirmed desktop review findings, however the response rate was 11%.

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