June 19, 2024 | 3:00-4:30 PM ET | Virtual

This session, titled “Are there Political Opinions within Institutional Biosafety Programs?” will discuss the complexities and differing opinions surrounding institutional biosafety programs and explore how varying viewpoints influence program management, policymaking and implementation, as well as program compliance. Attendees will discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by these diverse perspectives, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic environment in which biosafety operates.

• Attendance Fees: $0 for BSAA Members and $75 for nonmembers
• Attendees are encouraged to submit questions to [email protected] prior to the meeting and may be encouraged to interact by discussing their own institution's practices.

Registration Closed

June 6, 2024 | 11:30 AM - 4:30 pm ET | Virtual

The IBC 201/Best Practice meeting is a 5-hour training opportunity for both new and seasoned Biosafety committee members, Biosafety Administrators, program compliance coordinators, and other individuals who contribute to the institution’s biosafety compliance program. Sessions are initiated using didactic presentations that are intended to provide sufficient background on several topics to ensure attendees have a general understanding of an overall Institutional Biosafety programs.

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NIH has updated and expanded its content and resources discussing the involvement of Animals in NIH Funding. The website is designed for a general audience, providing a plain language explanation of the following: 

• Why Animals are Used in Research
• How Animals Have Helped Improve Public Health
• Why Properly Designed Experiments Are Critical for Animal Research, and Advancing Public Health
• Ensuring the Care of Research Animals
• Adoption of Laboratory Animals after Research (new)
• When Are Alternatives to Animals Used in Research?

Additional resources on the topics highlight webinars, blog posts, press releases, podcasts, links to other webpages, and more based in part from prior feedback received.

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OLAW Homepage

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Joint PRIM&R for a webinar on “The Documents Side of an Animal Care and Use Program.” The intricacies of a complex Animal Care and Use Program are interwoven with a collection of policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures (SOPs), forming the backbone of its operational framework. Together, these elements create a cohesive structure that governs the program's activities, enhances accountability, and fosters organizational alignment, thereby facilitating the successful execution of the program. Participants will discuss the primary differences between and distinct purposes of policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) within an Animal Care and Use Program (ACUP).

Participants will receive a certificate of attendance that documents up to 1.25 continuing education credit hours for their attendance at this webinar.

Registration Closed

OLAW is excited to share new and updated FAQs plus a brand new webpage to assist institutions with planning for unexpected events, such as disasters and emergencies. We welcome and will consider any comments received for future FAQ updates. To submit feedback, please feel free to email OLAW.

View the New and Updated FAQs

April 24, 2024 | 3:00-4:30 PM ET | Virtual

This session, titled “The Protocol Template and Review Processes,” will discuss the information that should be gathered in the protocol form that is needed for the IBC to perform a thorough review. Having adequate information is paramount for making informed decisions across an institution’s biosafety program. The availability of accurate, relevant information empowers the committee to navigate complexities with clarity and purpose, leading to accurate interpretations, better risk mitigation, and ultimately greater success.

May 8-9, 2024| 1:00-4:00 PM ET| Virtual

Join the USDA’s Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) for the free “Meeting the Requirements of the Animal Welfare Act” virtual workshop on May 8 & 9, 2024, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Eastern Time each day.

The workshop will review:

• 3Rs alternatives (replacement, reduction and refinement of animal use) methods and resources,
• Literature searching techniques for finding 3Rs information, and
• Historical and current insights into the Animal Welfare Act and its regulations.

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