TOURE Mahama Centre of Medical and Veterinary Entomology / University of Bouaké25 P.O.Box 580 Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire
Introduction: Almost 40 laboratories from 15 institutions and universities practise biotechnology in Côte d'Ivoire. But, the issue of laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity is unknown by the researchers (students and professionals) who are not submitted to any regular laws for a safe and good laboratory practise. There is a total lack of training due to ignorance on the existence of international and national institutions in charge of Biosafety and Biosecurity. Therefore, the laboratory practise becomes hazardous. The aim of this work is to find tools to improve laboratory practises by giving basic principles of laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity to students enrolled for Master Degree in the Centre of Medical and Veterinary Entomology (Centre d'Entomology Médicale et Vétérinaire, in French).
Methods: We included laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity as an entire field in the teaching programmes of student enrolled for Master Degree in Medical and Veterinary Entomology and in Agricultural Entomology. We proposed to teach them the principles of laboratory Biosafety practise and technique, the laboratory Biosafety levels (BSL1-4) and insectaries and method for Biorisks assessment.
Results: The teaching on laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity was given 4 credits for 70 hours showing the necessity for students to have skills on the issue of Biosafety and Biosecurity before laboratory experiment. By this project, we avoided the construction of unsafe and risky laboratories with wood in the Centre of Medical and Veterinary Entomology.
Conclusion: Professionals are aware that there are risks related to laboratory works that should be taught at school and through trainings.