Biological Agents & Toxins Act

Attended the stakeholders' session for the proposed BATA today @ MOH...very informative
There are two primary objective of the bill:
1) regulates the possession, use, import, transfer, transportation of BAs and toxins
2) provides for safe practices in handling of such BAs and toxins

Personally, Post-911 and with bio-terrorism still playing on our minds, this would serve to remind scientist of their social obligations and to protect the community at large...good move MOH (",)

However, one thing that really concerns me was the "duties of operators of facilities"

"(The) operator (is) liable for his agents if offences are committed with his consent or connivance or through his neglect" (MOH, 2005).

Scary!!! Do you know that anybody who screws with "first schedule" BAs would be liable for fine not exceeding ONE MILLION DOLLARS (last finger on lips, please) or life imprisonment or BOTH...

One question that was buzzing on my mind was "who is the operator?" the director of the joint? the biosafety manager? the principal investigator? or the biosafety manager's kakia (aka foot solider aka most expendable of the lot)??? To my relieve...its the director...ahahaha...good luck