Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
The Weizmann Institute's Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is composed of ten members, six of whom are Institute scientists (one of whom is also an MD), one public representative, one biosafety expert (the Institute Biosafety Officer), one external consultant, and one lab technician. The Safety Unit and the IBC are responsible for reviewing research conducted at the Institute which involves biohazard risk, in order to ensure compliance with the NIH/CDC guidelines, the published European Committee for Standardization (CEN) workshop agreement CWA 15793, and the laws of the State of Israel. Specifically:
- Assessment of the containment levels required for the proposed research in accordance with the biohazard it poses: Facilities, procedures, practices, training and expertise of personnel involved in recombinant DNA research.
- Major efforts to lower the containment levels by lowering the biohazard level and by offering adequate alternatives.
- Adopting emergency plans covering accidental spills and personnel contamination resulting from recombinant DNA research.
- Ensuring that all aspects of biosafety have been appropriately addressed by the Principal Investigator.
- Periodically reviewing recombinant DNA research conducted at the Institute to ensure compliance with the guidelines.
- The IBC will meet as required (but no less frequently than once per year) and report to the Vice President any significant problems, major accidents, violations, etc.
Institutional Committee for Research Using Infectious Agents (ICRUIA)
The Institutional Committee for Research Using Infectious Agents (ICRUIA) was established at the Institute to ensure compliance with national and international laws regulating the use of infectious agents and toxins, known also as "select agents". The ICRUIA comprises three scientists, one of whom is also an MD, and a biosafety expert (the Institute Biosafety Officer). Any scientist intending to use an agent from the list for his/her research project must file an application form (including affidavit) in order to obtain ICRUIA approval. The Institute's computerized procurement system allows any biological material ordered to be tracked. Any order containing an infectious agent or a toxin is automatically flagged and reported to the Biosafety Office via e-mail. Further processing of the order will be enabled only after fulfilment of all relevant requirements and approval by the Biosafety Officer and ICRUIA.
Forms and Assurances
Laws and Regulations pertaining to Genetics Research
- Genetic Intervention Prohibition Act - Human reproductive cloning and germ cell genetic interference (1999)
- Genetic Information Act (2000)
- Genetic Intervention Prohibition Regulations - Human reproductive cloning and germ cell genetic interference (2006)
Laws and Regulations pertaining to Infectious Agents Research
- Biological Infectious Agents Research Regulation Act (2008)
(see also a Summary of the Key Points of the Biological Infectious Agents Research Regulation Act (2008) - in Hebrew or in English) - Biological Infectious Agents Research - Weizmann Institute Regulations