Recent News

By Region: Africa

Op-Ed — The International Federation of Biosafety Associations: A Stakeholder in the BTWC

The International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA) is a global community of research scientists, biosafety professionals, laboratory personnel, NGOs, academics and policy makers from around the world who recognize that biosafety and biosecurity are important elements within the framework of biological non-proliferation and strengthening global security. The IFBA’s mission statement (“safe, secure and responsible work Read More »

December 5, 2011
| Filed under Africa, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America, South Asia, Biosafety, International, Policy & Initiatives, and Research
Share

Dealing with advances in science at the Seventh BTWC Review Conference

(Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists) Ahead of the Seventh Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) Review Conference, which will be held December 5-22 in Geneva, Switzerland, the United Nations published 26 advance papers produced by state parties to inspire serious and spirited discussion for the event — and at least six of these papers focused Read More »

December 2, 2011
| Filed under Africa, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America, South Asia, Biological Weapons, Biotechnology, International, Policy & Initiatives, and Research
Share

Story Of The Year Goes Largely Unnoticed

(Huffington Post) I happen to be one very minor casualty of the eventually victorious war on smallpox. When I was vaccinated as a child, something uncharacteristically went wrong and I ended up contracting, for a short while, a mild form of cowpox. …

November 29, 2011
| Filed under Africa, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, South Asia, Agents & Toxins, International, Policy & Initiatives, and Public Health
Share

The 4 Key Parts of a Biosecurity Plan

(Lab Manager Magazine) For labs dealing with infectious substances, a biosecurity plan is just as important as a strong safety program. Biosecurity plans are designed to prevent the misuse, intentional release or theft of infectious agents. Such plans depend on what type of …

November 24, 2011
| Filed under Africa, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America, South Asia, Biosafety, and Research
Share

Antibody Neutralizes Ebolavirus

(Laboratory Equipment) Although not as contagious as influenza or measles, ebolaviruses can be transmitted in bodily fluids including exhaled airborne droplets, and scientists who study these viruses are generally required to use special “Biosafety Level 4” facilities. …