This Page Was Last Updated: 12/29/05
The Health Division enforces local regulations written by the Board of Health pertaining to recombinant DNA (rDNA) research carried out in Lexington. These regulations ensure that laboratories manipulating DNA maintain adequate safeguards to prevent release of recombinant organisms to the environment and take measures to protect the safety of their workers and the community. Several companies currently carry out rDNA work in Lexington.
The Lexington Biosafety Committee (LBSC), composed of residents from the community with expertise or interest in the subject of recombinant DNA, works in an advisory capacity to the Board of Health, which regulates rDNA work in the community. The Lexington Biosafety Committee meets to review applications for rDNA licenses, to revise regulations as necessary, and to address problems or complaints regarding companies carrying out rDNA work. Representatives of the Board of Health and the LBSC also participate in Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBC's) at the individual laboratories. These IBC's convene yearly to discuss new work, research in progress, and evaluate the current biosafety program.
Biological waste and related issued pertaining to biological materials are safeguarded through state regulations, including 105 CMR 480.000 "Storage and Disposal of Infectious or Physically Dangerous Medical or Biological Waste: State Sanitary Code Chapter VIII." This regulation is available at your public library or for a fee from the State Book Store.
Companies interested in carrying out recombinant DNA work must apply to the Board of Health for a permit. Requirements that must be met are outlined in the rDNA regulations. Permit applications, available in the Health Division, should be submitted to the Board of Health accompanied by a $500 permit application fee.
In some cases, a company carrying out work with recombinant organisms may be exempt from the regulations, and may only need to register their work with the Board of Health. The conditions for registration of rDNA work are outlined in the rDNA regulations. Applications for registration must be accompanied by a fee of $100.