Introduction to Biosafety
1. Define Biosafety
Biosafety refers to the principles, practices, and protocols designed to prevent unintentional
exposure to biological agents or their accidental release. It focuses on protecting individuals, the
environment, and communities from risks associated with handling pathogens, genetically
modified organisms (GMOs), and other hazardous biological materials. Biosafety measures
include containment strategies, proper laboratory practices, and regulatory frameworks to
ensure safe use of biotechnology and biological research.
2. Global Context
In the global context, biosafety has gained prominence due to advances in biotechnology,
microbiology, and genetic engineering.
The increasing development of GMOs, synthetic biology, and infectious disease research has
raised concerns about safety and ethical use.
International agreements and regulations like the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000) under
the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) aim to manage the safe transfer, handling, and
use of GMOs and other biological materials.
Global public health crises, such as SARS, Ebola, and COVID-19, highlight the importance of
robust biosafety systems to control outbreaks and protect against emerging pathogens.
Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lead global biosafety efforts by
providing guidelines for laboratories, healthcare institutions, and biotechnology facilities.
3. Early Biosafety Efforts in Pakistan
Biosafety awareness in Pakistan started gaining traction in the late 1990s and early 2000s with
the rise of biotechnology and genetic research.
The National Biosafety Guidelines were introduced in 2005 under the Pakistan Environmental
Protection Act (PEPA) to regulate research involving GMOs, hazardous biological agents, and
biotechnological advancements.
Early efforts were focused on establishing containment levels, laboratory safety practices, and
regulatory mechanisms.
Collaboration with international organizations facilitated initial training and capacity building in
biosafety practices across academic institutions and research labs.
4. International Influence
International guidelines and frameworks have significantly influenced biosafety systems in
Pakistan:
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety: Pakistan became a signatory in 2009, aligning its biosafety
policies with global standards.
The WHO and CDC guidelines serve as benchmarks for laboratory biosafety practices in
handling infectious agents.
International collaborations, such as with the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and
Biotechnology (ICGEB) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), provided training,
resources, and technical assistance for biosafety capacity building.
Partnerships with developed countries enabled technology transfer, infrastructure development,
and adoption of modern biosafety protocols.
These efforts continue to shape Pakistan's biosafety landscape, emphasizing global
cooperation to address biosecurity challenges, regulate GMOs, and manage infectious diseases
effectively.
