In the context that humanity has just come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the exploding number of laboratories designed to handle the world's most dangerous pathogens (but not guaranteeing safety) is also making many people sick. fear.

The Daily Mail page quotes information from the 2023 global biological laboratory report, made and published by experts from Imperial College London in collaboration with several US scientists. A report made public on March 16, 2023, shows that there are more than 100 facilities tasked with storing and testing viruses such as Ebola and avian influenza, which exist globally.

Experts are concerned about the risk of a lack of oversight in laboratories. They claim that, at some bioresearch facilities in the Asian region, biosafety rules are not guaranteed.
Before that, there was a popular theory about the origin of the virus that causes COVID-19. Many people believe that this pathogen leaked from a laboratory.
According to the expert group, there are 69 BSL level 4 establishments in the world, 59 establishments 2 years ago.
BSL-4 facilities can do “gain-of-function research,” a still-controversial scientific method that seeks to manipulate pathogens to make them more capable. more infectious, demonstrating the potential impact of the virus on humans.

According to the above report, about 75% of BSL Level 4 laboratories still in operation are located in urban areas. Experts warn that this could be potentially dangerous and have serious consequences if laboratory pathogens such as smallpox, Ebola, and Lassa fever are accidentally leaked.
The team also expressed concern about the rise of a new type of laboratory, classified as BSL level 3+, which is a group of establishments with a biosafety level higher than 3, but lower than 4.
Specifically, there are 57 BSL Level 3+ labs globally. Most of these facilities are located in Europe, with 80% in urban areas. Level 3+ BSL facilities are studying dangerous viruses like avian influenza, without the stringent biosecurity procedures of a BSL Level 4 facility.

Dr. Filippa Lentzos, an international security expert at Imperial College London, said the growing number of labs was worrying, especially in Asia, given the region's lack of policies. biological risk management book.
“Isolated laboratories are expanding rapidly in Asia, but many countries here are not appreciated for biological risk management,” Ms. Lentzos said.
According to Ms. Lentzos, the number of laboratories working with dangerous pathogens is growing rapidly, and there is no adequate monitoring process for safety and biosecurity. Unlike BSL Level 4 facilities, safety rules at BSL Level 3+ facilities have not yet been standardized.
The aforementioned report shows that the most common pathogen being studied in BSL Level 3+ facilities is avian influenza. Some scientists fear this is the virus that is likely to cause the next pandemic, after COVID-19.

According to the study authors, 40% of the 57 BSL Level 3+ laboratories are operated by national governments, another 40% are owned by universities, and the rest is divided equally among companies. private companies and the military.
Dr. Gregory Koblentz from the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University in the US - co-leader of the project - said: “We urgently need the international community's joint effort to address biological risks. learning is increasing”.

By: Women Newspaper