The National Regulatory
Structure for Biosafety
in Egypt |
Egypt has established a national biosafety system which comprises a National
Biosafety Committee (NBC) and a number of Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs). |
| NBC Activities |
|
The NBC is the official body responsible for ensuring
that biotechnology continues to be safe and facilitating access to modern biotechnology
generated abroad. The scope of the NBC activities and/or responsibilities include:
• Formulating,
implementing and updating safety codes.
• Risk
assessment and license issuance.
• Providing
training and technical advice.
• Reporting
annually to governmental authorities.
• Coordinating
with national and international organizations.
|
| NBC Members |
|
The NBC assemble members from different organizations
including:
• Representatives
from the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Industry, and Education
• Representatives
from the Sector of Environmental Affairs
• Representatives
from the private sector
• Policy
makers and consultants knowledgeable in policies and applicable law
• Non-technical
members reflecting the community interests (NGOs)
|
| The Principal Investigator (PI) |
|
The NBC has assigned one of its members the
responsibility of a Principal Investigator (PI). His duties include:
•
Receiving permit request for the release
of GMOs.
• Visiting location for inspection of facilities.
• Submitting a report to the NBC upon which a permit will be issued or
denied.
• Advising staff in practices and techniques to assure level of safety
concern.
|
| IBC Activities |
|
Every organization actively involved in genetic
engineering research is mandated to establish its own Institutional Biosafety Committee
(IBC). The IBC is responsible for the following:
• To establish a program for
inspection.
• To assemble a set of oriented
guidelines that comply with NBC guidelines.
• The assessment of facilities,
practices and procedures.
• To review periodically r-DNA
research conducted in the institute.
• To adopt emergency plans
covering accidental spills and personal contamination.
• To review periodically
containment measures.
• To monitor changes in IPR.
• To report annually to the NBC.
|
| IBC Members |
|
This IBC assemble the following members:
• Experts in
r-DNA technology
• Experts in
biological safety and physical containment
• Consultants
knowledgeable in policies and applicable law
• Biological
Safety Officer
|
| The Biological Safety Officer (BSO) |
|
The Biological Safety Officer (BSO) should report to the
IBC, regarding the follow-up on his duties including:
• Enforcement
of policies and regulations approved in the institute.
• Ensuring
that all facility standards are rigorously followed.
• Ensuring
safety of all facility work and prevent the accidental escape of GMOs.
• Maintenance
of data on all aspects of biosafety related to mandated crops.
• Checking
and advising on biosafety issues on a day-to-day basis.
• Monitoring
worldwide biosafety requirements for the r-DNA technology.
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