Biosafety, Bioethics and Intellectual Property Rights

Biosafety means the need to protect human and animal health and the environment from the possible adverse effects of the products of modern biotechnology. A fundamental objective of any biosafety program is the containment of potentially harmful biological agents. The term containment is used in describing safe methods, facilities and equipment for managing infectious materials in the laboratory environment where they are being handled or maintained. The purpose of containment is to reduce or eliminate exposure of laboratory workers, other persons, and the outside environment to potentially hazardous agents. There are two types¿ containments: primary containment and secondary containment. Primary containment, which is the protection of personnel and the immediate laboratory environment from exposure to infectious agents, is provided by both good microbiological technique and the use of appropriate safety equipment. The use of vaccines may provide an increased level of personal protection.