Introduction:

The emergence and development of biological safety are closely related to the evolution of microbiology, due to the worldwide interest in laboratory acquired infections.

Objective:

Evaluate the current status of biosafety and the importance of its correct implementation.

Methods:

A search was conducted about biosafety in the databases Springer, Willey Online Library and Pubmed in the period January 2010-July 2020.

Results:

Biosafety is a complex problem that varies in keeping with inter-personal interactions, microorganisms, environmental factors, and political and economic tensions. Its management is based on the application of basic principles such as biological safety culture, biological risk perception, biosafety procedures adjusted to each institution, and professional training, among others. In the current context, biosafety is life safety. On the basis of this premise, comments are made on several papers about SARS-CoV-2 and the importance of biosafety to control the virus. Data are also presented about the biosafety systems of Cuba and Canada.

Final considerations:

Biosafety is a topic of worldwide interest, but deficiencies are still found in its application which increase biological risk and the possibilities of infections in the health personnel, the community and the environment. At the end of 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic made evident that the main tool to control the virus so far is the correct implementation of and compliance with biosafety protocols.

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