American Biological Safety Association Christina Z. Thompson, President Biological Weapons Convention Meeting of Experts Geneva, Switzerland 18-22 August 2008
ABSA • Founded in 1984 to promote biosafety as a scientific discipline and serve the growing needs of biosafety professionals throughout the world • Goals: • provide a professional association that represents the interests and needs of practitioners of biological safety internationally • provide a forum for the continued and timely exchange of biosafety information
Membership • 1,641 members currently – 289 international members – 37 countries + U.S. • Representing: – Academia – Government laboratories – Private industry • pharmaceutical • biotechnology • equipment manufacturers
ABSA Affiliates
Biosafety Credentials • Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP) • Based on education and experience • Application and recommendations • Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP) • Exam administered through American Society for Microbiology / National Registry of Microbiologists (SM/NRM) • Certification granted by ABSA 5
Recent Activities • Participated in International Biosafety and Biosecurity Laboratory Standard development initiative (CEN Workshop Agreement 15793) • U.S. Trans-Federal Task Force on Optimizing Biosafety Oversight – Presented position on laboratory accreditation • Submitted comments on U.S. NSABB “Proposed Framework for the Oversight of Dual Use Life Sciences Research”
Plans for Future • Leading effort on accreditation of high containment laboratories in U.S. • Participating in international laboratory accreditation effort through CEN process • Continue to cooperate in bringing international biosafety professionals and scientists to ABSA meetings and training courses
ABSA Approaches to and Concepts of Biosafety and Biosecurity • A mix of voluntary compliance and performance-based regulations are likely to provide the highest level of biosecurity. • BSL1 and 2 laboratories are low risk. Regulations will have significant impact on research, with little significant gain in protection.
ABSA Approaches to and Concepts of Biosafety and Biosecurity • For agents with high bioterror risk, performance based regulations maximize biosecurity. • Certification of high containment facilities by 3 rd parties will provide biosafety/biosecurity assurance with limited bureaucracy.
For more information • American Biological Safety Association – Website: www.absa.org – E-mail: absa@absa.org – Phone: 866-425-1385
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