Re: MANAGING ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS FROM GENETICALLY MODIFIED

Prof. Walter Leal Filho (mailto:leal@tu-harburg.de)
Tue, 23 Mar 1999 12:57:22 +0100

Message-ID:  <36F781A2.3A2F3758@tu-harburg.de>
Date:         Tue, 23 Mar 1999 12:57:22 +0100
From: "Prof. Walter Leal Filho" <mailto:leal@tu-harburg.de>
Subject:      Re: MANAGING ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS FROM GENETICALLY MODIFIED
To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU

The following article was taken from the 1998 volume of Environmental
Management & Health.  Given the recent public debate about genetically
modified foods, we thought it might be of interest.  Myself as the editor of

Environmental Management & Health and the two authors would like to hear your feedback (contact details below).Ideas for further articles on the theme are also welcome, also from developing countries. Walter Leal Filho

The abstract of the article is below. To view the full article go to this web page - http://www.mcb.co.uk/portfolio/emh/article

MANAGING ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS FROM GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS: THE ROLE OF SAFETY TRAINING Norma Ford, Department of Environmental Management, University of Salford, Salford, UK Gai Murphy, Department of Environmental Management, University of Salford, Salford, UK

Keywords: Health and safety, Safety, Training Type of Article: Survey

Genetic modification (GM) has been called “the new biotechnology” and has been hailed as a leading enabling technology, facilitating major innovation in health care, as well as in the chemical, agricultural and food sectors. GM techniques facilitate the combination of DNA which would not occur naturally and, although there are no records of disease or accidents associated with GM work, potential risks do exist. Legislation designed to ensure that workers are adequately protected against hazards also limits the risk of environmental damage. Human error plays an important role in accident causation; therefore appropriate instruction, supervision and training for personnel working with GM/GMOs (genetically modified organisms) is essential. This article reviews the regulatory controls for GM work and discusses the findings of a preliminary study undertaken to identify the level, content, format and extent of biosafety training currently provided at sites undertaking GM work. While high levels of biosafety training were reported, the content, organisation and management varied between the establishments undertaking GM work. Recommendations are made regarding the management of biosafety training including the need to establish competency levels for all those working with, and supervising and managing work with, GMOs.

Quality Indicators: Readability**, Practice Implications***, Originality**, Research Implications**

Read the full article here - http://www.mcb.co.uk/portfolio/emh/article

Please direct your feedback to: The journal editor - Prof. Walter Leal Filho, mailto:mailto:leal@tu-harburg.de The article authors - Norma Ford, mailto:mailto:N.J.Ford@env-man.Salford.ac.uk Gai Murphy, mailto:mailto:R.G.Murphy@env-man.Salford.ac.uk