AUTHOR=Khan Erum , Ahmed Nayla , Temsamani Khalid R. , El-Gendy Atef , Cohen Murray , Hasan Ariba , Gastfriend Hilliard , Cole Jennifer 

TITLE=Biosafety Initiatives in BMENA Region: Identification of Gaps and Advances

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 4 - 2016

YEAR=2016

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2016.00044

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2016.00044

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Abstract
Introduction: The objectives of this study were to identify and assess the impact of capacity-building biosafety initiatives and programs that have taken place in the broader Middle East and north Africa (BMENA) region between 2001-13, to highlight gaps that require further development, and to suggest sustainable ways to build cooperative regional biosafety opportunities. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted with two aspects 1) thorough desktop review of literature for all biosafety / biosecurity related activities in the study countries such as seminars, conferences, workshops, policy documents, technology transfer, sustained scientific endeavours between countries etc.; and  2) an online survey of scientists in countries in the region to get first-hand information about biosafety and biosecurity initiatives and gaps in their country. Results: A total of 1832 initiatives of biosafety / biosecurity were recorded from 97 web-links,70.68% (n=1295) initiatives were focused on raising general awareness among the scientific community about biosafety/biosecurity/biocontainment. The most frequent areas of interest were biorisk management in biomedical and biotechnology laboratories 13% (n=239),  followed by Living Modified Organisms (LMO’s)  9.17% (n=168).  Hands-on training accounted for 2.67% (n=49) of initiatives. On line survey results confirmed desktop review findings, however the response rate was 11%.