American Biological Safety Association Christina Z. Thompson, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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

5

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

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 3rd 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