by Dr. Rashid Iqbal
M.B.B.S, M.P.H (USA), GCPH (Australia)
The site for the construction of biotechnology department needs to be carefully selected, as the facilities cannot be shared with any other department. The laboratory has to be dust proof. The sterilization has to be 100%. More over the physical structure should support in controlling the environment including temperature and humidity.
Genetically modified cells are to be treated like viruses. If the genes escape into the environment it can be disastrous. It is to be noted that recombinant DNA experiments with pathogenic microorganism may result in the formation of extremely virulent forms, which if accidentally released from the laboratory will cause havoc and wide spread epidemics.
Contamination is a recognized hazard in the practice of biotechnology. Mycoplasmas, which are very tiny microorganisms, are able to slip through most filters and often found as contaminating organisms in supposedly sterile preparations. Some types of mycoplasmas cause pneumonia.
In order to avoid potential disastrous consequences of unregulated genetic engineering procedures the international standards for such projects especially the location, design, physical construction of containment barriers, air handling systems (room air supply, exhaust ventilation, fume hoods etc) installation of biological safety cabinets, filters, toxic and lethal waste disposal systems, personal safety facilities, building services (plumbing, drainage, compressed gases, electrical, fire alarm and communicating systems) and proper monitoring of protective barriers are essential to safe laboratory practices. These must meet the international standards. A copy of the Canadian population and public health bio-safety guidelines is enclosed for reference. Similar guidelines are observed around the world.
Understanding the aforementioned hazards in view and international bio-safety protocols it is our joint opinion that the currently proposed site for the construction of biotechnology department does not comply with the international safety standards. It is imperative to have a biotechnology department in NWFP but if constructed at the currently proposed site, we are concerned about its potentially catastrophic and environmentally devastating hazards in the neighborhood.
It is our honest and sincere suggestion that a more appropriate site may be selected for the construction of biotechnology department. Full environmental impact assessment must be carried out prior to undertaking such potentially hazardous institutional enterprise.
Dr. Rashid Iqbal
M.B.B.S, M.P.H (USA), GCPH (Australia)
Public Health Specialist
Asst. Professor of Community Medicine
Khyber Medical College, Peshawar
Address Herbarium, Botany Department
University of Peshawar
Peshawar, North-West Frontier
Pakistan
Contact Phone: [92] 91/ 921 6701, ext. 3042.
Correspondents Abdur Rashid, [email protected]
Updated Oct 2002
Notes Pakistan.
View staff
Person Herbarium
Code Institution Location
Naveed Akhtar PUP University of Peshawar Pakistan. North-West Frontier. Peshawar.
Tanvir Burni PUP University of Peshawar Pakistan. North-West Frontier. Peshawar.
Ghulam Dastagir PUP University of Peshawar Pakistan. North-West Frontier. Peshawar.
Musarrat Jabeen PUP University of Peshawar Pakistan. North-West Frontier. Peshawar.
Abdur Rashid PUP University of Peshawar Pakistan. North-West Frontier. Peshawar.
F. M. Sarim PUP University of Peshawar Pakistan. North-West Frontier. Peshawar
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