NCABR Course: Plant Biosafety

Description

Plant Biosafety for Laboratorians, Greenhouse Safety and Support Personnel at Universities, Startup and Agricultural Companies 

The North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research is hosting a virtual course that will explore the biosafety concerns around genetically modified plant research on February 25 - 26, 2021.

Speaker:
Deborah Howard, CBSP, MPH Global
EHS Biological Materials Manager
BASF

The use of genetic modification in the modern agricultural industry plays a critical role in helping farmers provide a safe, abundant supply of food, feed and fuel. Understanding this tool, the regulations around its use and the safety requirements in place to minimize risk and identify hazards is important for both safety professionals and plant program personnel. This course will provide participants with an overview of APHIS permits including Plant Protection & Quarantine (PPQ), Biotechnology Regulatory Service (BRS) and Veterinarian Services (VS). It also will cover the NIH Guidelines as it relates to environmental release and financial loss. The class will offer a variety of advanced scenarios and interactive exercises that demonstrate the range of biological, genetic modification and the risks and hazards routinely encountered in the greenhouse, fields and labs supporting plant research. Participants will be guided through strategies for identifying potential hazards, for assessing the magnitude and extent of induced risks and cost, and for developing effective control measures to protect the safety of workers, plants and the environment. The course employs “real world” examples to improve understanding of greenhouse and field operations.

Objectives:

• Review basic import permits, hazard identification and risk assessment techniques as they apply to research involving genetically modified (GM) plants
• Learn how to incorporate effective hazard and exposure control strategies into GM and arthropod lab and greenhouse design and research facility management procedures
• Identify ways that safety professionals can work with plant program personnel to address common research safety issues and environmental issues