Risk Assessment of Unregulated Biological Sample Handling Among Postgraduate Students: A Mixed-Methods Study

Authors

  • Abdulwahid M. Dhahir Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1864-160X
  • Sara A. Nagmesh Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31646/gbio.361

Keywords:

Biosafety, Biological Samples, Unregulated Risks, Students

Abstract

Background/Aims: Unregulated handling and transfer of biological samples pose biosafety and biosecurity risks, particularly in resource-constrained research environments. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, drivers, and risk implications of unregulated biological sample handling among postgraduate students in Iraq.

Methods: A mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of 172 postgraduate students and analyzed descriptively. Qualitative insights were obtained from 25 semi-structured interviews to contextualize practices, constraints, and risk perceptions.

Results: Most participants reported difficulties obtaining samples (71.5%) and accessing adequately equipped university laboratories (78.5%), which contributed to reliance on commercial laboratories (65.1%) and informal peer-to-peer sample exchange (51.7%). Despite high awareness of biosafety and biosecurity risks (91.3% of survey respondents; 16/25 interviewees), these practices persisted due to structural constraints, including material shortages and inadequate laboratory infrastructure (reported in 21 interviews). Interviews further highlighted limited access to adequate, practical biosafety training (reported in 15 interviews). The absence of specialized governmental biosecurity oversight mechanisms was perceived to exacerbate risks related to loss of traceability, contamination, and potential misuse of biological materials.

Conclusions: Unregulated sample handling among postgraduate students in Iraq is driven primarily by systemic constraints rather than risk ignorance. Strengthening laboratory capacity, formalizing regulated pathways for sample transfer, and implementing mandatory, practical biosafety and biosecurity training alongside clearer national oversight are essential to mitigate biosafety and biosecurity risks and protect research integrity and public health.

Author Biography

Abdulwahid M. Dhahir, Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq

A specialized researcher in Life Sciences and Genetic Engineering seeking to advance his professional career in scientific research and biotechnology, with a focus on microbiological research and its medical and industrial applications

 

Downloads

Published

2026-04-14

How to Cite

Dhahir, A. M., & Nagmesh, S. A. (2026). Risk Assessment of Unregulated Biological Sample Handling Among Postgraduate Students: A Mixed-Methods Study. Global Biosecurity, 8(88). https://doi.org/10.31646/gbio.361

Issue

Vol. 8 (2026)

Section

Research Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 The Author(s)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
Received 2026-02-19
Accepted 2026-03-12
Published 2026-04-14