<p> FHML, CRISP, Biosafety Unit</p><p>Biosecurity: Appendix to Biosafety in the laboratory. Ed. R. Custers, VIB, Zwijnaarde, 2004</p><p>The deliberate use of biological agents is a major threat to public safety. Sending anthrax spores by mail in the USA in 2001 elicit fear in the population. Overall awareness about security measures, to be taken for safety reasons for the environment and for the population is justified. The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science asked the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) to provide it with advice and input for a national Biosecurity Code of Conduct for scientists. Awareness is the most important aim of the Code of Conduct and includes high-risk organisms (> risk group 2) and the knowledge and information about these organisms. </p><p>In the framework of Biosecurity, measures have to be taken to prevent dual use of biological agents and toxins. Dual use means the possibility that the knowledge from research and publications that are relevant for medical or agricultural aims, is used for terrorism. </p><p>Misuse might be the theft of genetically modified organisms (e.g. with potentially risky DNA-inserts). This also may elicit a fear in the population. These incidents have to be reported to the biosafety officer conform the internal procedure Incidents etc. </p><p>Some of the measures taken at the MUMC+ for biosafety reasons and according to the biosafety regulations, also cover biosecurity aspects: - All employees and students working in the contained laboratories and animal departments are known by the Responsible Investigator and Biosafety Officer. They are registered in the central GMO-administration of approved GMO-workers. -Contractors are allowed to enter and work in the ML-laboratories only when the laboratory responsible person accompanies them. - Internal transport of GMO is regulated in the procedure Transport of GMO. External transport is secured by a certified courier or a form of travelling when the employee or student is transporting GMO by him- or herself (due to insurance). - The Responsible Investigator and (deputy) Biosafety Officer are responsible for monitoring the obeying to the biosecurity measures.</p><p>Version Okt. 2011</p>