Biohazards,Institutional Biosafety Committees and Cartagena Protocol: Biohazards: Biological hazards also known as biohazards, refer to biological substances that pose a threat to the health of living organisms, especially that of humans. For example: Viruses, bacteria ,fungi etc. These hazards can be encountered anywhere in the environment. The biohazard symbol was developed in 1966 by Charles Baldwin, an environmental health engineer. Types of Biological Hazards: Biological hazards can be put into different categories: Bacteria: microscopic organisms that live in soil,water or the bodies of plants and animals and are characterized by lack of distinct nucleus and the inability to photosynthesize. Examples are E.coli, TB and Tetanus. Viruses: These are a group of pathogens that consist mostly of nucleic acids and that lack cellular structure. Viruses are totally dependent on their hosts for replication. Examples: common cold, influenza, measles, SARS, Hantavirus and rabies. Fungi: Major group of lower plants that lack chlorophyll and live on dead or other living organisms. Examples: mould,rust, mildew,smut,yeast and mushrooms. Biohazard Classification: Conventional Agents Recombinant DNA Tissue Culture Animal work Anatomical Specimens Unconventional Agents What is Biosafety ? Biosafety is the application of safety precautions that reduce a laboratorians risk of exposure to a potentially infectious material and limit contamination of the work environment and ultimately the community (CDC). Achieved through; Administrative controls Engineering controls Personal protective equipment Practices and procedures Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC): Under section 5 (1) of regulations All organisations involved in research and development that deals with modern biotechnology shall establish an IBC. IBC is a formal expert committee of an organisation undertaking modern biotechnology research and development which involves use of any LMO/rDNA materials. IBCs are registered with the National Biosafety Board (NBB). Its function is to monitor and ensure compliance to the biosafety act 2007 at the institutional level and safe handling of modern biotechnology activities. IBC Members: Head of the organization or his designate as the chairperson. Three or more scientists engaged in rDNA work or molecular biology with at least one outside expert in the relevant discipline. A member with medical qualifications - Biosafety officer. A nominee of DBT. Cartagena Protocol: History: CBD opened for signature in 1992 and entered into force on 29 Dec 1993. Cartagena Bio Safety Protocol (CBSP) negotiated from 1996-2000; entered into force in 11 Sept. 2003; over 170 Party Members; an international treaty. This is a complementary agreement to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Total parties to the cartagena protocol as of June 2021 are 173. Objectives: The cartagena protocol on Biodiversity seeks to protect biodiversity from the potential risk