
Full text loading...
Biosafety Considerations for Large-Scale Processes, Page 1 of 2
< Previous page Next page > /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555819637/9781555816209.ch32-1.gif /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555819637/9781555816209.ch32-2.gifAbstract:
The notion of scale-up or large-scale processing of microorganisms is currently associated with recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology, but in fact it has been common practice for many years. Microorganisms have been scaled up for the manufacture of foods and beverages for centuries. In the past hundred years, the large-scale production of antibiotics, vaccines, and biological products has become commonplace. The relative numbers of laboratory-acquired infections from the production environment are extremely low, approximately 3.4% of the total numbers documented (1). Part of the reason for these low numbers may be the reduction in virulence of the cultured organism, but they are most likely attributable to the extensive use of primary and secondary containment barriers, i.e., containment equipment and facilities, which are generally required to maintain the integrity of the product.