Teachers in UK schools and colleges are referred to the following publication for advice on safety in microbiology and biotechnology.

For more advice on practical microbiology, please visit the SGM's education Web site,
Microbiology Online.

Topics in Safety (Third edition, 2001). Published by the Association for Science Education, College Lane, Hatfield, Herts. AL10 9AA. ISBN: 0 86357 104 2. This contains chapters on microbiology, biotechnology and working with DNA (including genetically-modified organisms).

You may come across two older publications, namely:

• Microbiology. An HMI guide for schools and further education. (1990) DES. HMSO, London.
  ISBN: 0 11 270578 2.
• Safety in Science Education (1996) DfEE.
  HMSO, London. ISBN: 011 270915 X.

Both of these books are now out-of-print, and the advice they gave has been superseded by that in the current edition of 'Topics in Safety'. The DfEE publication 'Safety in Science Education' contained numerous errors in the microbiology section - so much so that a meeting of relevant organisations was convened by the ASE in 1997 to produce accurate advice.

This advice found its way into the new 'Topics in Safety' which was published in February 2001.

The ASE publication sums up its attitude to safety thus:

"Practical work is an essential element of any complete science education. Safety considerations are not intended to restrict practical work but simply to make it safer to carry out."

PLEASE NOTE: In addition to the guidance contained within these books, teachers will need to comply with any regulations imposed by their Local Education Authority and/or school or college governing body.

Copyright © National Centre for Biotechnology Education, 2006 | www.ncbe.reading.ac.uk