It is the policy of Creighton University that any possession of and/or activity involving known or potential biohazardous materials be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee. Biohazardous materials subject to review by the IBC include, but are not limited, to the following:
Infectious biological agents and biologically derived materials that present a risk or potential risk to the health of humans or animals, either directly through infection or indirectly through damage to the environment. Infectious agents have the ability to replicate and give rise to potentially large populations in nature when small numbers are released from controlled situations.
The NIH Guidelines define Recombinant DNA molecules as either (i) molecules that are constructed outside living cells by joining natural or synthetic DNA segments to DNA molecules that can replicate in a living cell, or (ii) molecules that result from the replication of those described in (i) above. In addition, synthetic DNA segments that are likely to yield a potentially harmful polynucleotide or polypeptide (e.g., a toxin or a pharmacologically active agent) are considered as equivalent to their natural DNA counterpart.
By law, Creighton University must report all specified biological "select agents" in its possession to the government. These "select agents" are identified on the following list provided by the CDC and USDA:
http://www.selectagents.gov/SelectAgentsandToxinsList.html
This policy applies to activity and research that is sponsored by the University; conducted by faculty, staff, students, or agents of the University; or conducted using the University's property, facilities, or non-public information.
