Date: November 19, 2005
To: WSU Deans, Chairs, Directors, Faculty, Staff, and Students
From: James N. Petersen, Vice Provost for Research
Subject: University Policy Regarding the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
Overview
All research and other activities involving recombinant DNA is required (by federal guidelines) to be reviewed and approved (regardless of whether the activity is funded or not funded) by the WSU Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). In addition WSU policy (as set forth in this memorandum and in the IBC Handbook) requires the review and approval of all research, teaching, diagnostic, and extension activities involving potentially biohazardous material. The WSU IBC defines potentially biohazardous materials· to include all of the categories below. Projects involving material(s) included in any of these categories must be submitted for IBC approval prior to initiating the research.
- Recombinant DNA (rDNA),
- Genetically modified organisms. Including, but not limited to:
- Animals, plants, invertebrates, and/or other organisms created by WSU employees or in/on WSU property
- Transgenic field trials, any genetically modified organisms to be introduced into the environment (by WSU personnel and/or on WSU property),
- Field testing of plants engineered to produce pharmaceutical and industrial compounds,
- Any organisms, agents, or toxins requiring federal permits (including but not limited to, APHIS, CDC, EPA, FDA, …),
- Pathogens/infectious agents (human, animal, plant, and other),
- Select/Biological Agents and Toxins (CDC and USDA). Please note that possession, use, or transfer of7
- Select/Biological Agents and Toxins entails additional requirements contact the Research Compliance Office for additional information, Biological toxins, Human blood and potentially infectious human fluids or tissue, Work with animals or vectors known or suspected to be reservoirs of BL2 or BL3 infectious agents when such work increases potential exposure risks to personnel or other animals,
- Oncogenic viruses used in conjunction with animals
*The phrase potentially biohazardous material is used throughout this manual to indicate all biological materials that the IBC oversees. The list includes materials that are not included in the NIH Guidelines and materials that may not traditionally considered biohazardous.
In addition to regulation of activities with potentially biohazardous materials, the WSU IBC also oversees work with some organisms not viewed as biohazardous, including genetically modified whole plants which are commercially available and do not require APHIS permits.
This policy applies to all WSU employees (whether the activity is conducted on WSU facilities or non-WSU facilities) and also applies to any activities conducted on WSU facilities by non-WSU employees.
The IBC is comprised of faculty representatives from various academic disciplines and urban campuses at WSU, researchers, non-scientific members, students and community representatives who are not affiliated with the university. The IBC operates within the federal guidelines with respect to the review and approval of research protocols involving biological materials.
Purpose of the IBC
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) oversees and establishes University policy for review and approval of all projects involving the use of recombinant DNA, pathogens, biological toxins, genetically modified organisms, select agents and toxins, and/or any material requiring federal permits to assure compliance with the most current federal guidelines. Principal investigators at WSU who carry out experiments, store, or in any way utilize materials involving recombinant DNA, genetically modified organisms, pathogens, biological toxins, select agents and toxins (CDC/USDA), and/or material requiring federal permits must inform the IBC via the Biosafety Approval Form (BAF).
It is the policy of the University that all research, teaching, diagnostic and extension activities involving potentially biohazardous materials be conducted in a safe manner in order to protect individuals, the academic community, and the community at large.
University policy stipulates that no Risk Group 4 Agents may be used or stored at WSU. See the NIH Guidelines and CDC BMBL for a list of these agents.
WSU Biosafety Policies
In addition to this memorandum, WSU biosafety policy is found in the WSU IBC Handbook (found on the IRB website: http://www.bio–safety.wsu.edu/ ), and in Safety Policy and Procedure Manual (SPPM S80.05).
Conclusion
Utilizing biological materials for research and other activities requires a team approach. Everyone at WSU must be diligent when working with such materials. The WSU IBC, Research Biosafety Officer and the EH&S department are available to help and assist WSU faculty, researchers, staff, and students to ensure that such research is conducted in a safe and ethically responsible manner.
The IBC also serves as an advisory committee for University projects that involve possible biohazards that do not appear to fall into one of these areas. When it is unclear whether a material constitutes a potential biohazard, the IBC should be consulted. Questions should be directed to the Research Compliance Office (335-1585), IBC Coordinator (335-9661), or Research Biosafety Officer (335-9661).
For reference, see the original PDF.