ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
There are not many ethical considerations to be made for the current stage of our project. At this stage, we are working solely with bacteria, which are not generally considered in ethical discussions. In later stages of the project, we may use human samples for testing (skin or fecal). In this case, relevant ethical concerns include patient information as well as patient consent for studies using materials from their bodies.
HEALTH, SAFETY, & ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Use of dangerous materials
For bacteria culture, a Bunsen burner must be used to sterilize the environment around the culture. As such, it is necessary to take caution in handling any flammable materials near the burner falms. In particular, ethanol, which is highly flammable, must also be used for sterilization. Thus, special care must be taken to never mix the two. This is especially important when spraying ethanol on hands then working by the Bunsen Burner.
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We used sodium azide for preservation of glycan beads. Sodium azide is known to cause death as it is a severe poison. It may be fatal in contact with skin or of swallowed. Also, azide inhibits cytochrome oxidase by binding irreversibly to the heme cofactor in the process similar to the action of carbon monoxide. Sodium azide particularly affects organs that undergo high rates of respiration, such as the heart and the brain. We would be using it under the fume hood and disposed of it in the properly labelled hazard waste container.
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Ethanol is an irritant, so proper protective equipment should be worn.
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Use of materials which are hazardous to the environment
When working with bacteria, we should take caution to dispose of our bacterial samples properly so as to not release our strains into the environment, as they could impact ecosystems.
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Proper handling of biologics
Our project involves handling DNA samples, which we should avoid getting on our own skin through wearing gloves and other proper protective equipment.
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Microbial agents that are beneficial to some humans may be toxic to other humans and other organisms. Additionally, because microbes that may benefit some may be communicated to others and harm them, we will have to evaluate and assess the complex potential public health risks associated with microbiome members that we use in the project.
Page Leader: Alexandra Kasper