About
The purpose of the Institutional Biosafety and Bioethics Committee (IBEC) is to ensure safe and ethical research at KAUST involving: human subjects; animals via IACUC review; biological materials; biologically derived toxins; genetically modified organisms; plants, especially invasive species or noxious weeds; potentially infectious environmental samples and corresponding cultures; human-derived materials (e.g., blood, tissues, embryonic stem cells, primary cell lines, etc.); recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids; viral vectors; gene-editing techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9; nanotechnology and other developing biologically relevant technologies; and researcher that poses a potential risk to living organisms and the environment.
- Animals - via notification from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of approved animal study proposals and through periodic reports from IACUC
- Biological materials, including biohazardous agents (Risk Group 2; Risk Group 1 agents must be registered with the Biosafety Officer; they are not reviewed by IBEC unless increased risk is identified); biologically derived toxins; genetically modified organisms; plants, especially invasive species or noxious weeds; potentially infectious environmental samples and corresponding cultures; human-derived materials (e.g., blood, tissues, embryonic stem cells, primary cell lines, etc.); recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids; and viral vectors
- Gene-editing techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9
- Human subjects
- Nanotechnology and other developing, biologically relevant technologies
- Potential risk to living organisms and the environment
National Registration/Accreditation
Saudi Arabia’s National Committee of Bioethics (NCBE) registration
KAUST’s Institutional Biosafety and Bioethics Committee (IBEC) serves as the registered local committee for all National Committee of Bioethics (NCBE)-regulated activities.
IBEC Responsibilities
Approval, Evaluation and Review
- Approve standard procedures and forms regarding biosafety and bioethics for investigators to use
- Approve and review modifications to approved research activities
- Evaluate the experience of the Principal Investigator and their team to conduct the research with regard to biosafety and bioethics
- Evaluate biological containment plans to ensure that adequate containment measures exist
- Review research proposals at intervals appropriate to the degree of risk and as required by the National Committee of Bioethics (NCBE) standards; the approval period shall not exceed 3 year
- Review all incidents and accidents regarding biosafety and bioethics
- Review the effectiveness of the University’s bioethics program and provide recommendations to the Research Compliance and VPR
- Review the effectiveness of the Biosafety Manual and provide recommendations to Health, Safety and Environment (HSE)
Training
- Establish training procedures and criteria regarding biosafety and bioethics
- Ensure that the Principal Investigator and the research team have completed all committee-required training
Non-Compliance
- Investigate alleged non-compliance of biosafety and bioethics
- Suspend non-compliant research with regard to biosafety and bioethics or with regard to unexpected harm to research subjects
- Provide a written statement outlining the reasons for suspension of non-compliant research addressed to the Principal Investigator, respective Dean, and Research Operations and Compliance
