A portfolio of curriculum-based modules encompassing the biosafety of genetically modified organisms, and related matters in biosecurity, public health, natural resource management, biocontrol and bioremediation.
SUPPORTING TRAINING AND EDUCATION
ICGEB Regulatory Science Group activities principally take place in ICGEB Member States, and focus on directly supporting the establishment of national GMO regulatory frameworks and offices, and assisting the development and execution of essential administrative and technical procedures. Activities include helping the drafting of legislation, regulations and guidance documents to organising fora and bilateral exchanges between novice and experienced GMO regulators so that training and support remains pertinent and state-of-the-art.
eLEARNING APPROACH
Supplementing ICGEB Regulatory Science Group key activities is the establishment of post-graduate academic programmes available to novice GMO regulators and their technical experts, as well as the development of this portfolio of online biosafety-related eLearning modules available for adoption by Universities and regulatory authorities worldwide. In this way, ICGEB offers a blended learning experience that incorporates new teaching methods and designs for technology-assisted education in the developing world.
eLEARNING ADVANTAGES
The portfolio is delivered online, globally, continuously, at low cost, and on an as-needed basis to multiple audiences. eLearning modules are peer-reviewed and endorsed by eminent biosafety and biotechnology stakeholders.
Featured Modules
Public Health and Epidemiology
This module presents a comprehensive review of the origins and significance of Public Health and Epidemiology, highlighting key principles and practices using the recent COVID-19 pandemic as a case study. By exploring the historical development of Public Health and Epidemiology, this module aims to provide essential knowledge and skills to deal with modern public health crises.
The purpose of the Risk Analysis Module is to impart knowledge and skills to students to conduct evidence-based risk analysis. At the end of the Module, the student will be able to assess risk using science-based approaches, develop appropriate managment options for identified risks, and effectively communicate the risk and appropriate managment options to the public and relevant authorities.
This module is composed of theoretical and practical contents regarding the safety assessment of food products derived from plants, animals and microorganisms improved using modern biotechnology. It covers safety assessment in great detail, and it also includes risk management and risk communication. Additionally, the module includes two related issues: labelling and methods of analysis.
Biosafety Regulatory Frameworks
This module underscores the importance of a functional Regulatory Framework for the safe application of biotechnology. Rather than focussing on dry legal matters, the Module will demonstrate the dynamics and interactions between policy, law and decision-making processes at the international as well as the domestic level.
Biorisk management combines biosafety and biosecurity. This module provides a basis for understanding biohazard and biosafety, it explains why security is important and the risks that may emerge from working and storing microbiological agents and modern biotechnologies. The module describes the rationale and methodology for performing biosecurity risk assessments, implementing biosecurity and its integration into an overarching biorisk management system in a laboratory or other relevant facility.
This module introduces users to socio-economic considerations in biosafety decision-making. GMO decision-making frameworks are first and foremost concerned with the safety for humans and the environment, and they focus on biosafety, risk assessment and containment measures. However, national and international regulations increasingly acknowledge the importance of formalising the inclusion of socio-economic considerations in GMO decision-making.
This module introduces the basic concepts that underpin the regulatory basis and triggers for an environmental risk assessment (ERA) conducted in support of a decision to authorise the release and possible commercialisation of a GM crop.
Containment and confinement measures can be used when the risk assessment identifies risks that must be managed (e.g. when handling pathogens) or when there is uncertainty on safety (e.g. when developing certain products of biotechnology). This module guides users through the selection, implementation and verification of different Risk Management options.
| For information on how to access the eLearning modules, please contact: Regulatory Science Group Email: [email protected] |