Institutional Biosafety

When considering a new activity which may involve the use of Biological materials, a Biological Approval must be granted if the activities involve biological hazards. Refer to the Biosafety Procedure for further information on the Biological Approval process.

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) assesses and reviews all research proposals involving the use of genetic manipulation technologies as well as certifying PC2 physical containment facilities and, where required by the guidelines, submits them for assessment to the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR). The OGTR is responsible for overseeing the development and use of novel genetic manipulation techniques in Australia.

A register of work, personnel involved, staff training, current manuals and containment facilities is also maintained to comply with Gene Technology Regulations 2001 reporting requirements.

A meeting of the committee must be held at least annually to meet the requirements set by the  Office of the Genetic Technology Regulator (OGTR).

Staff members who propose to use genetic manipulation techniques in research or teaching must receive a Biological Approval IBC prior to the commencement of any studies.

It is mandatory for staff and students involved in Genetically Modified Organism research or using certified facilities to attend training on gene technology procedures.

Further details on training sessions can be obtained from the Biosafety Officer.

A range of teaching and research activities involving the construction and/or propagation of viroids, viruses, cells or organisms of novel genotype produced by genetic manipulation are undertaken at UniSQ.

As these activities are either unlikely to occur in nature, or likely to pose a hazard to public health or to the environment, there is a need to ensure the health and well being of staff, students, the UniSQ community, including visitors, and the environment. This is achieved through risk management and approval processes adopted by schools, administrative and operational divisions.

Gene technology regulations

UniSQ must comply with the Gene Technology Act 2000 (Cwlth) and the Gene Technology Regulations 2001 administered by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR). These regulations cover all dealings with genetically modified organisms(GMOs).

Dealings as defined by the Gene Technology Act 2000 (Cwlth) include:

• conducting experiments with GMOs
• making, developing, producing, manufacturing GMOs
• breeding
• propagating
• using the GMOs in manufacturing of non GM products
• growing, raising, culturing GMOs
• importing GMOs
• the possession, use, transport or disposal of the GMO for purposes of, or in the course of a dealing mentioned in 1 to 7.

Every dealing with a genetically modified organism (GMO) must be licensed by the Gene Technology Regulator unless the dealing is:

• an exempt dealing (no exempt dealing can be started without written permission from the Institutional Biosafety Committee) 
• a notifiable low risk dealing

• on the Register of GMOs.

UniSQ's Institutional Biosafety Committee is empowered to recommend to the Gene Technology Regulator that a proposal be an exempt dealing.