Biosafety Guidelines For Research On Genetically Modified ...

Points to consider
This section lists some points to consider in the design of facilities for genetic
manipulation work involving the production of transgenic animals.
The containment required for transgenic animals varies among different experimental
systems. The following points govern the nature of containment involved:
Details of Animal Involved
1. Class, genus and species of animal (if transgenic aquatic vertebrates are involved
see Appendix 18)
2. Stages in life cycle that will be involved (embryo only to full maturity and
reproduction).
3. Approximate number of animals involved at any one time.
Type of Work
4. Whether the work will involve:
(a) modification of germline cells;
(b) modification of somatic cells;
(c) intention to breed;
(d) use of genetically modified micro-organisms to infect animals;
(e) infectious agents used to produce transgenic animals
Details of the Genetic Manipulation
5. Depending on the type of work, the following points should be considered before
deciding upon the level of animal containment (GA-BSL2 & GA-BSL3):
(i) nature of DNA to be inserted (origin and characterisation of DNA, references
to published work, reference numbers of small-scale proposals covering
preparation of the DNA);
(ii) method to be used for introducing the DNA (including details of the
construction of any vector to be used, references to published work or
reference numbers of small-scale proposals covering preparation of the
vector, and containment level recommended for work with the vector);
(iii) likelihood of the technique to be used for introducing the DNA resulting in the
animal bearing an agent potentially transmissible to animals in the same
facility or to humans, and the possible routes of transmission;
(iv) reproductive capability of the genetically manipulated animal - is the inserted
DNA likely to be heritable
Appendix - Page 27