Environment and Bio-Safety Research Ethics Committee (EBREC)
Overview
The Environment and Bio-Safety Research Ethics Committee (EBREC) is primarily concerned with the review of applications related to studies that may pose a risk to the environment as a result of, for example, the modification or introduction of non-indigenous organisms, collection of samples, or the improper disposal of waste materials or chemicals. EBREC is also primarily concerned with the safety of all researchers whose studies imply coming into contact with bio-hazardous or hazardous materials. It should be noted that EBREC's decisions do not supersede any relevant statutory obligations with regard to environmental care (e.g., Genetically Modified Organisms Act No. 15 of 1997). Therefore, the researcher may have to obtain permission(s) from the necessary authorities (DEA, Nature Conservation, etc.) before ethical approval can be granted.
Bio-hazardous materials include (but are not limited to)
- Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules
- Other agents and toxins
- Bloodborne and other pathogens
- Xenotransplants
- Stem cells
- Dual use, i.e., applications that could be misused in the wrong hands to pose a deliberate threat to society at large
- Nanotechnology with direct human or animal application
- Gene therapy
- Genetically modified organisms
EBREC submission deadlines and meeting dates for 2024
Submission deadlines
1 February 2024
1 March 2024
1 April 2024
1 May 2024
1 June 2024
1 July 2024
1 August 2024
1 September 2024
1 October 2024
1 November 2024
Meeting dates
14 February 2024
13 March 2024
10 April 2024
15 May 2024
12 June 2024
24 July 2024
14 August 2024
11 September 2024
16 October 2024
13 November 2024
Please note:
- The deadlines refer to the dates by which applications must reach the ethics office. Therefore, applications submitted to a supervisor must be accepted by the supervisor before the deadline.
Contact me
Boemo Segoje
Officer: RIMS, Ethics and Creative Outputs
T: +27 51 401 7619
E: SegojeBC@ufs.ac.za
Johannes Brill Building, First Floor, Bloemfontein Campus