Morocco: Moroccan Biosafety Association (MOBSA)

In Morocco, the majority of the scientific community looks at Biosafety and Biosecurity only from the perspective of biological diversity concerns (compliance with the Cartagena Protocol). Very little education and awareness exist in terms of the unintended consequences of research and laboratory accidents nor these exist in terms of deliberate misuse of life sciences technology for harm. A group of scientists concerned with disseminating information about the spectrum of biological risks and the impact on public health, animals, agriculture, plants and the environment created the Moroccan Biosafety Association (MOBSA) created in October 2009, which aims at defining Biosafety as a multidisciplinary scientific field. Professionals from different fields, such as biology, chemistry, diagnostics centers, agronomy and food technology, pharmacy, medicine, nursing and law are brought together in this promising discipline. MOBSA will seek to advise and support the government on the implementation of new legislation and standards in areas related to biological safety and biosecurity, on the implementation of the BTWC recommendations, and on biotechnology and associated activities. The key objectives of MOBSA are to contribute to enhance national capacity building in the fields of Biosafety and Biosecurity; develop a national Biosafety expertise (including Faculty in the Universities); elaborate educational modules in French and Arabic (professional, high schools, undergraduate and graduate); national and regional networking; stimulate the safe use of new technologies; training BSL3 and BSL2 users; conduct national and regional surveys and case studies etc. MOBSA is open to anyone working in the field, providing unique networking opportunities.

Source: Crop Biotech Update, 13^th November 2009