SAFE BIOTECHNOLOGY .7. CLASSIFICATION OF MICROORGANISMS ON THE BASIS OF HAZARD

The current systems for classifying human pathogens on the basis of ha zard are well developed and their basic criteria are in general agreem ent one with another. Of more importance, the safety practices based o n these classifications have generally been successful. They have enab led extensive research activities, medical practice and industrial pro duction to be conducted on an ever-increasing scale, involving dangero us microorganisms (e.g. in vaccine production and treatment of infecte d patients) with a very low incidence of adverse effects on the worker s involved and the general public. Although the EU has adopted a harmo nised list of agents in groups 1-4 there is as yet no complete agreeme nt among member states and individual microbiologists. The purpose of this paper is to present a historical survey and to discuss the curren t processes for identifying and classifying the hazards posed by the u se of microorganisms in research and technology. This is essential in the design of appropriate methods of counteracting potential risks.