Development of a Biosecurity Checklist for Laboratory Assessment and Monitoring

Abstract

Introduction: Laboratory biosecurity is of continuously growing interest due to increasing concerns about deliberate misuse of biological materials and emerging biological risks. These risks continue to be magnified by globalization, the rapid pace of scientific development, and dual-use technologies. Worldwide laboratory capacities are expanding, which calls for concrete actions to improve laboratory biosafety and biosecurity practices to protect researchers and the community. Hence, laboratories require comprehensive biorisk management programs to minimize the risk of accidental and deliberate release of infectious biological materials. Objective: Malaysia has prioritized the concern of national biosecurity and aims to consolidate laboratory biosecurity performance to detect and prevent the deliberate release of biological agents. Methods: Two 3-day workshops were organized over the course of four months in which Malaysia collaborated with The Netherlands. This bilateral engagement aimed to integrate biosecurity practices in their national biorisk management programs, and resulted into a comprehensive biosecurity checklist for laboratory assessment and monitoring. Results: This biosecurity checklist is based on Malaysian and Dutch expert opinions and national and international guidelines and regulations. The biosecurity checklist is a survey-driven tool that consists of a set of concrete questions for each key biosecurity area, which are discussion points for assessment. Conclusion: We display a practical biosecurity checklist for laboratory assessment and monitoring. Although the presented checklist was the template for the specific Malaysia checklist, it could serve as a template for other countries.

Systematic approach towards establishing a National Inventory of Dangerous Pathogens

“…In the identification phase, the main challenge is to involve ministries to commit to implementation of an inventory, as it could serve as a fundamental foundation for the government to keep biosecurity oversight and form the basis for national biosecurity legislation. The national inventory fits within the bigger picture of monitoring safety and security practices in biological laboratories throughout the entire country, for which a biosecurity checklist is available [ 13 ]. It is key to include collective and high-level commitment, because high-level commitment from the national government could ensure that objectives are met, adequate budget and resources are allocated, and the inventory process is successfully integrated at the national level.…”

“…For example An Analytical Approach: biosafety and biosecurity oversight framework [ 18 ] provides a methodology for such a system. This system can be linked to a system to monitor and assess biosecurity within institutes with tools such as a biosecurity checklist [ 13 ]. Furthermore, there are multiple tools to assess if institutes working with dangerous pathogens have implemented biosafety and biosecurity measures.…”

The Necessity in Combating Bioterrorism: An International Experience

“…The scientific literature emphasizes among other things that it would be much more effective to combine such a system of health care institutions and organizations with some law enforcement computer databases. First of all, it concerns the database of persons who have committed acts of bioterrorism in the past, or are suspected of preparing for them now, or their planning or commission in the near future (Brizee et al,2019). Most researchers and scholars agree that, despite the constant threats posed by so-called "sponsors of terrorism" and various terrorist organizations based on religious hatred or apocalyptic ideology, a clear and powerful functioning of state structures can effectively counteract to them at any level.…”

Implementation of Bio-Risk Management System in a National Clinical and Medical Referral Centre Laboratories

“…For instance, by integrating bio-risk management to the entire facilities with a clear and concise plan on the division of roles and responsibilities among employees, a comprehensive biosafety program implementation can be ensured. Hence, management, awareness, physical security, accountability for materials, information and transport security, personnel reliability, and emergency response should be included in the comprehensive biosafety program [ 32 ]. Importantly, the system performs better when all parties recognize the authority of a Biosafety Director, complete each task voluntarily, and remain fully involved in the compliance process [ 33 ].…”