The use in research or teaching of biological agents, including genetically modified organisms (GMOs), biological agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) and samples potentially contaminated with biological agents, can cause damage to human health and the environment.
Law 31/1995, of 8 November 1995, on the prevention of occupational risks and Royal Decree 664/1997, of 12 May 1997, which develops it as regards the protection of workers against risks related to exposure to biological agents, together with Law 9/2003, of 25 April 2003, which establishes the legal regime for contained use, the voluntary release and trade of genetically modified organisms, as well as Royal Decree 178/2004 of 30 January 2004, which approves the general regulations for the development and implementation of Law 9/2003, constitute the basic applicable regulations aimed at preventing health risks derived from exposure to biological agents.
There are other regulations on animal health, such as Law 8/2003 of 24 April 2003, and on plant health, such as Law 43/2002 on plant health, and Royal Decree 58/2005, on measures to protect against the introduction of harmful organisms for plants and their products, and for export and transit to third countries, which are also applicable.
On the other hand, the current application forms for research projects in the different calls for proposals, as well as the acquisition of certain GMOs for research, require authorisation from the body of the institution with competence in biosafety, in order to accredit the availability of facilities with adequate biosafety conditions for the proposed experimentation.
In response to the aforementioned current requirements, and in accordance with the general principles established in Royal Decree 178/2004 (Annex II) and the criteria used by the National Biosafety Commission, and with the aim of regulating, centralise actions and improve the management of biological risk at the UB, the Governing Council, at its meeting of 1 March 2016, set up the UB Biosafety Committee (CBSUB), following the creation agreement of 16 July 2015.
The CBSUB has the following general objectives:
- Improving the quality of research and teaching practices at the UB.
- To promote the values of information, precaution and prevention of personal, occupational and environmental risks in UB research and teaching practices involving the use of biological agents.
- To ensure compliance with current legislation on biosafety, as well as with the UB Statute and other internal regulations.
- To ensure that the aforementioned research and teaching practices meet the appropriate methodological, legal and safety requirements.
- Promote information and training on safety in research and teaching practices with biological agents.
- To prepare the reports requested by the members of the university community.