{"id":34300,"date":"2023-07-12T13:16:32","date_gmt":"2023-07-12T11:16:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.info.hazu.hr\/?p=34300"},"modified":"2024-01-24T14:07:51","modified_gmt":"2024-01-24T13:07:51","slug":"strategija-razvoja-primijenjene-genomike-u-hrvatskoj","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.info.hazu.hr\/en\/2023\/07\/strategija-razvoja-primijenjene-genomike-u-hrvatskoj\/","title":{"rendered":"Strategija razvoja primijenjene genomike u Hrvatskoj"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Predsjedni\u0161tvo Hrvatske akademije znanosti i umjetnosti prihvatilo je 5. srpnja 2023. Strategiju razvoja primijenjene genomike u Hrvatskoj koju je donio Odbor za primijenjenu genomiku HAZU.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.info.hazu.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Strategija-genomike-HAZU.pdf\">Strategija razvoja primijenjene genomike u Hrvatskoj <\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sadr\u017eaj<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Uvod<\/p>\n<p>Biomedicina<\/p>\n<p>Biosigurnost i bioza\u0161tita<\/p>\n<p>Forenzi\u010dka genomika<\/p>\n<p>Eti\u010dka na\u010dela primijenjene humane genomike<\/p>\n<p>Biotehnologija<\/p>\n<p>Bioinformatika i ra\u010dunalna biologija<\/p>\n<p>Dodatak. Izrada Strategije<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Uvod <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Iznimno brz napredak genomike, znanja i tehnologije u\u010dinio je genomiku \u0161iroko dostupnom i primjenjivom u brojnim domenama ljudske djelatnosti. Sekvencioniranje ljudskog genoma za koje je trebalo u projektu humanog genoma 13 godina uz tro\u0161ak ve\u0107i od 300 milijuna ameri\u010dkih dolara, danas je izvedivo tijekom par dana uz cijenu od manje od 1 000 ameri\u010dkih dolara. Ujedno su razvijene nove metode manipulacije genima, primjerice gensko editiranje, koje \u0107e u skoroj budu\u0107nosti pru\u017eiti neslu\u0107ene mogu\u0107nosti mijenjanja genske osnove organizama. Takvi zahvati pru\u017eiti \u0107e nove mogu\u0107nosti genske terapije ili novih biotehnolo\u0161kih postupaka, ali su i prijetnje koje donose nekontrolirano ili zlonamjerno upletanje u genomska svojstva organizama, od ljudi do bakterija i virusa. Stoga \u0107emo istovremeno biti suo\u010deni s brojnim eti\u010dkim i pravnim pitanjima primjene genomike.<\/p>\n<p>Genomika je temelj personalizirane ili precizne medicine koja podrazumijeva dizajniranje individualne medicinske skrbi (prevencije, dijagnoze, lije\u010denja) sukladno precizno odre\u0111enim osobnim molekularnim obilje\u017ejima (genomskim i ostalima), pona\u0161anja i okoli\u0161nih \u010dimbenika te osobnih vrjednota. Poznavanje genomskih osobina bolesti sve \u0107e vi\u0161e farmaceutska industrija koristiti za dizajniranje lijekova usmjerenih definiranom cilju. Republika Hrvatska (RH) je i potpisnica Deklaracije \u201eTowards access to at least 1 million sequenced genomes in the European Union by 2022\u201c \u0161to je obvezuje da sudjeluje u prikupljanju genomskih podataka, primjenjuje genomiku u medicinskoj praksi i promi\u010de koncept personalizirane medicine.<\/p>\n<p>Osim njene primjene u klini\u010dkoj medicini, primjenjena genomika imat \u0107e ulogu u proizvodnim procesima koji uklju\u010duju biotehnolo\u0161ke postupke \u0161to \u0107e doprinijeti u\u010dinkovitom kori\u0161tenju energijskih izvora, odr\u017eivom proizvodnom razvoju i za\u0161titi okoli\u0161a. Isto tako, primijenjena genomika je nu\u017ena za razvoj novih biotehnologo\u0161kih procesa te pra\u0107enja i razumijevanja nastanka ekolo\u0161kih promjena.<\/p>\n<p>Za sigurnost zemlje nu\u017ena je suvremena forenzika, biosigurnost i bioza\u0161tita u kojima je primjena genomike nezaobilazna za identifikaciju osoba ili biolo\u0161kih \u0161tetnih \u010dimbenika.<\/p>\n<p>Primjena genomike generira ogroman broj veoma raznovrsnih informacija (tzv. <em>big data<\/em>) koje dobivaju svoje puno zna\u010denje kada se integriraju s fenotipskim, okoli\u0161nim i drugim relevantnim zna\u010dajkama. Za pohranu, razmjenu, analizu i interpretaciju ovako ogromnog broja slo\u017eenih podataka potrebno je razviti bioinformati\u010dke platforme koje \u0107e zadovoljavati pojedine domene primijenjene genomike.<\/p>\n<p>Hrvatska akademija znanosti i umjetnosti potakla je 2019. godine postupak za priklju\u010denje RH konzorciju Elixir. O\u010dekujemo da \u0107e sljede\u0107e godine Hrvatska postati punopravna \u010dlanica konzorcija Elixir \u0161to \u0107e omogu\u0107iti pohranu i razmjenu genomi\u010dkih i drugih bioznastvenih podataka, kori\u0161tenje bioinformati\u010dkih alata, me\u0111unarodnu suradnju i edukaciju. \u010clanstvo u konzorciju Elixir biti \u0107e zna\u010dajan iskorak u strukturi genomi\u010dkih istra\u017eivanja, ali i obveza u generiranju znanstvenih podataka i sudjelovanju u njihovoj izmjeni i obradi. Da bi tome Hrvatska bila dorasla i konkurentna s ostalim dr\u017eavama \u010dlanicama, nu\u017eno je stalno promicanje vrsno\u0107e genomi\u010dkih istra\u017eivanja.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Biomedicina<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Izuzetno brzi razvoj genomike i genomi\u010dke tehnologije (primjerice sekvenciranje nove generacije, gensko ure\u0111ivanje) omogu\u0107uje u\u010dinkovitu primjenu genomike u svim podru\u010djima biomedicine uklju\u010duju\u0107i i sve oblike zdravstvene skrbi, prevencije, dijagnostike i lije\u010denja. Primjerice, isti\u010demo genomsku dijagnostiku nasljednih bolesti koja omogu\u0107uje u odre\u0111enim bolestima i usmjereno lije\u010denje, genomsku karakterizaciju tumora i prema tome usmjerenu terapiju, farmakogenomi\u010dku karakterizaciju koja omogu\u0107uje optimalno doziranje brojnih lijekova, utvr\u0111ivanje genomi\u010dkih biljega kao rizi\u010dnih \u010dimbenika mnogih kroni\u010dnih neinfektivnih bolesti, \u0161to omogu\u0107uje pravodobne preventivne mjere te danas nezaobilaznu genomsku mikrobiolo\u0161ku dijagnostiku. Zbog svoje dijagnosti\u010dke i predskazuju\u0107e snage, kao i op\u0107e primjenjivosti, o\u010dekuje se da \u0107e genomska medicina \u0161iroko utjecati na sustav zdravstvene skrbi te dovesti do njegove preobrazbe.<\/p>\n<p>Primijenjena genomika u biomedicini obuhva\u0107a potpodru\u010dja genetike, transkriptomike i epigenetike, a bavi se kori\u0161tenjem informacija iz navedenih podru\u010dja u dijagnosti\u010dke, prognosti\u010dke i terapijske svrhe. Razvoj primijenjene genomike u biomedicini je od vitalne va\u017enosti za hrvatsko zdravstvo, gospodarstvo i dru\u0161tvo u cjelini. Klju\u010dni \u010dimbenici koji \u0107e odrediti smjer razvoja biti \u0107e pronala\u017eenje ekonomski odr\u017eivog modela, obrazovanje i zadr\u017eavanje stru\u010dnjaka, interdisciplinarni pristup, primjena novih tehnologija te integracija sa znanstvenim aktivnostima.<\/p>\n<p>Trenuta\u010dno je primijenjena genomika u biomedicini u Republici Hrvatskoj ograni\u010dena na nekoliko sredi\u0161ta koja su uglavnom tehnolo\u0161ki slabije razvijena. Mnogi aspekti primijenjene genomike ovise djelomi\u010dno ili potpuno o suradnji sa sredi\u0161tima i laboratorijima u inozemstvu. Strategija razvoja primijenjene genomike u biomedicini bi trebala pove\u0107ati kapacitete Republike Hrvatske u samostalnoj primjeni razli\u010ditih aspekata genomike, a sve treba biti zasnovano na jasnim ekonomskim postavkama.<\/p>\n<p>Napredak primijenjene genomike u biomedicini je usko povezan sa znanstvenim aktivnostima u podru\u010dju genomike i nerijetko proizlazi iz takvih znanstvenih aktivnosti. Poticanje sna\u017enije integracije primijenjene genomike i genomike u znanosti donijet \u0107e vi\u0161estruku korist ovim podru\u010djima. S jedne strane \u0107e olak\u0161ati povezivanje sa svjetskim sredi\u0161tima izvrsnosti kroz europske i multinacionalne znanstvene projekte, \u0161to \u0107e doprinijeti stru\u010dnom napredovanju pojedinaca i poticanju izvrsnosti. Nadalje, integracija aktivnosti u znanosti i u primijenjenoj genomici omogu\u0107iti \u0107e racionalan utro\u0161ak sredstava prilikom nabave i odr\u017eavanja skupe opreme, izobrazbe stru\u010dnjaka te pra\u0107enja suvremenih saznanja ovog podru\u010dja. Ovo bi se trebalo posti\u0107i sinergijskim djelovanjem sredstava iz strukturnih fondova, znanstvenih zaklada i drugih javnih sredstava. Kona\u010dno definiranje ustrojstva i funkcioniranja javnog sustava primijenjene genomike treba biti doneseno nakon dubinske analize financijske odr\u017eivosti i u suradnji s doma\u0107im i inozemnim stru\u010dnjacima iz ovog podru\u010dja.<\/p>\n<p>Jedan od glavnih pokreta\u010da razvoja primijenjene genomike u biomedicini trebalo bi biti <strong>nacionalno sredi\u0161te (institut) za primijenjenu genomiku<\/strong>, a koje bi djelovalo u sklopu postoje\u0107e ustanove koja ima kadrovski i tehnologijski potencijal, poput medicinskog fakulteta ili klini\u010dkog bolni\u010dkog centra ili integriran s vi\u0161e takvih ustanova. To integrirano sredi\u0161te bi pru\u017ealo slo\u017eene dijagnosti\u010dke i konzultacijske usluge svim zdravstvenim ustanovama u RH, a i \u0161ire. Pored toga u sklopu sredi\u0161ta bi se odvijala i edukacija stru\u010dnjaka u podru\u010dju primijenjene genomike u biomedicini. Sredi\u0161te bi se bavilo i znanstvenim aktivnostima, \u010dime bi se osigurala i izvrsnost te me\u0111unarodna prepoznatljivost samog sredi\u0161ta i RH. Nacionalno sredi\u0161te (institut) za primijenjenu genomiku bi razvijalo i personaliziranu medicinu, medicinsku biotehnologiju i nanotehnologiju zajedno s odgovaraju\u0107im drugim sredi\u0161tima. Sredi\u0161te bi bilo rasadi\u0161te genomske tehnologije s prijenosom znanja nu\u017enoga za razvoj podru\u010dnih laboratorija koji bi primjenjivali genomi\u010dku tehnologiju u opsegu rutinskog rada. Tako\u0111er, sredi\u0161te bi udomilo bazu pohrane biolo\u0161kih uzoraka. Baza genomi\u010dkih podataka s odgovaraju\u0107im bioinforfmati\u010dkim platformama omogu\u0107ila bi prikupljanje i obradu genomi\u010dkih podataka i njihovu me\u0111unarodnu dostupnost (primjerice putem konzorcija Elixir).<\/p>\n<p>Pored nacionalnog sredi\u0161ta, primijenjenom genomikom u biomedicini bi se bavili i povezani laboratoriji koji bi bili fokusirani na manje slo\u017eena ili odre\u0111ena podru\u010dja.\u00a0 Jedan od klju\u010dnih problema u razvoju slo\u017eenih tehnologija, \u0161to uklju\u010duje primijenjenu genomiku u biomedicini, je nedostatak i odljev stru\u010dnjaka. Nu\u017eno je promijeniti sustav financijskog nagra\u0111ivanja takvih stru\u010dnjaka, \u0161to bi uz povoljne uvjete profesionalnog napredovanja omogu\u0107ilo ostanak visokoobrazovanih stru\u010dnjaka.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Bavljenje primijenjenom genomikom u biomedicini nije mogu\u0107e bez timskog rada i interdisciplinarnog pristupa. Timovi bi trebali biti sa\u010dinjeni od lije\u010dnika specijalista odgovaraju\u0107ih grana medicine, specijalista i visokoobrazovanih stru\u010dnjaka biomedicinske tehnologije, bioinformati\u010dara, biomedicinskih matemati\u010dara te tehni\u010dkog osoblja. Zakonskim aktima je potrebno regulirati tko je ovla\u0161ten interpretirati rezultate genomi\u010dkih analiza i koja je uloga pojedinih \u010dlanova tima u skladu s najboljim praksama u svijetu i kompetencijama pojedinih profesija u zdravstvu. Obzirom na najnovije rezultate (prvo do sada objavljeno sekvenciranje cijelog genoma), a koje je nedavno publicirao The Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) Consortium,\u00a0 nu\u017eno je predvidjeti tehnologije i postupke (sekvenciranje dugih sekvenci (<em>engl. long-read sequencing<\/em>) koji \u0107e pored analize eukromatina istodobno analizirati i dio genoma koji sadr\u017ei uzastopno ponavljaju\u0107e dijelove DNA, uglavnom u centromernim i telomernim regijama (heterokromatin).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Specifi\u010dna uloga bioinformati\u010dara i biomedicinskih matemati\u010dara te sli\u010dnih struka bi bila u analizi i rukovanju velikim podatcima (engl. <em>big data<\/em>). Timski pristup bi omogu\u0107io lak\u0161u primjenu strojnog u\u010denja i umjetne inteligencije, pristupa za koje se o\u010dekuje da bi zna\u010dajno mogli unaprijediti zdravstvenu skrb. Osim toga, sredi\u0161te i institucije pri kojima bi djelovali laboratoriji za primijenjenu genomiku u biomedicini bi morali imati podr\u0161ku stru\u010dnjaka za pravna i eti\u010dka pitanja vezana uz primijenjenu genomiku. Nu\u017ena je i izrada primjerenih zakona koji bi regulirali ovo osjetljivo podru\u010dje, uklju\u010duju\u0107i vlasni\u0161tvo nad genomskim podatcima pacijenata, pohranjivanje, rukovanje i pristup tim podatcima.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Brz napredak biomedicinskih znanosti neizostavno uklju\u010duje nu\u017enost izobrazbe svih zanimanja u ovom sektoru, ali i gra\u0111anstva op\u0107enito. Planiranje ovakve izobrazbe u rano \u017eivotno doba (srednja \u0161kola i gimnazija) neminovno stvara povoljne uvjete bolje informiranosti na op\u0107oj razini stanovni\u0161tva, informirano sudjelovanje u dru\u0161tvenim aktivnostima i odlu\u010divanjima javnosti u ovom podru\u010dju, te \u010dinjeni\u010dno utemeljena razmi\u0161ljanja i razlo\u017eno prihva\u0107anje novina u zdravstvenoj skrbi koje \u0107e donijeti ve\u0107 aktualno razdoblje personalizirane medicine.<\/p>\n<p>U dodiplomskoj i poslijediplomskoj edukaciji profesija u biomedicini i informatici, potrebno je osuvremenjivanje postoje\u0107eg kurikula novim saznanjima iz podru\u010dja primijenjene genomike u biomedicini. Ovi sadr\u017eaji moraju biti zastupljeni i u poslijediplomskim i specijalisti\u010dkim poslijediplomskim studijima. Potrebno je predvidjeti da za potrebe na\u0161e populacije ovi oblici nastave mogu zajedno povezati vi\u0161e profesija u biomedicini i zdravstvu, radi ekonomiziranja postoje\u0107eg nastavnog kadra, ali i ostvarivanja interprofesionalnih komunikacija i suradnje. Edukacija na diplomskoj i poslijediplomskoj razini mora biti poticana u smislu razmjene studenata, nastavnika i stru\u010dnjaka u okviru me\u0111unarodne razmjene, a \u0161to \u0107e doprinijeti dodatno prijenosu znanja, vje\u0161tina, tehnologija i suradnje.<\/p>\n<p>Vrlo va\u017eno je poticati osnivanja nacionalnih stru\u010dnih dru\u0161tava stru\u010dnjaka u podru\u010dju genomike i svih zainteresiranih radi cjelo\u017eivotne edukacije, razvoja struke, boljeg povezivanje ovih stru\u010dnjaka i u\u010dinkovitog povezivanja i suradnje sa sli\u010dnim dru\u0161tvima u Europi i svijetu.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Navedena\u00a0 strategija primijenjene genomike u medicini i zdravstvu je neprijeporna, a uklju\u010duju\u0107i i izravnu korist u zdravstvenoj skrbi, tj. redovitoj i rutinskoj primjeni su realne i\u00a0 brzo ostvarive. To se odnosi na sva podru\u010dja medicine i zdravstva, te strategija mora sadr\u017eavati okvire koji upravo omogu\u0107uju podjednaku primjenu ovih saznanja sukladno postoje\u0107im znanstvenim dokazima u medicini. Vrlo je va\u017eno je na razini Ministarstva zdravstva i medicinskih fakulteta osnovati povjerenstva sa savjetodavnom ulogom, sastavljena od stru\u010dnjaka iz RH i Europe (s dokumentiranom relevantnom ekspertizom), radi potrebe davanja stru\u010dnog kompetentnog mi\u0161ljenja pri dono\u0161enju odluka o prijenosu i primjeni saznanja ovog podru\u010dja sa svrhom suvremene i u\u010dinkovite zdravstvene skrbi stanovni\u0161tva RH. Ovaj dio strategije uklju\u010duje i osnivanje, upravljanje i za\u0161titu baza biomedicinskih podataka te registara bolesnika.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nacionalna i EU regulativa za genomiku u biomedicini i zdravstvu <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Na razini EU legislative postoje propisi i zakoni koji se odnose na genomiku, genska istra\u017eivanja i dijagnosti\u010dke geneti\u010dke pretrage u ljudi, te je potrebno poznavati EU legislativu za ovo podru\u010dje i prilagoditi u budu\u0107nosti nacionalne zakone onima u EU. Potrebna je suradnja odgovaraju\u0107ih stru\u010dnjaka pravnika za provjeru i prilagodbu postoje\u0107ih EU propisa u izradi strategije primjenjene genomike u RH. Tako\u0111er je nu\u017eno upoznavanje profesija u biomedicini sa sadr\u017eajem, zna\u010denjem i primjenom ovih propisa u EU, radi njihove pravovremene primjene i sprje\u010davanje namjerne ili nehoti\u010dne ugroze prava i privatnosti korisnika i djelatnika u ovom podru\u010dju. Va\u017eno je osigurati mogu\u0107nosti povezivanja s industrijom u okviru postoje\u0107ih nacionalnih i EU propisa.<\/p>\n<p>Ustav RH omogu\u0107uje pru\u017eanje zdravstvenih usluga i promicanje zdravlja ljudi u podru\u010dju Biomedicine i zdravstva. Europska unija (EU) ima strate\u0161ki utjecaj na ekonomsku i socijalnu stabilnost. Zemlje EU i svijeta povezuju se radi digitalne transformacije zdravstvene skrbi, uvo\u0111enjem novih genomskih tehnologija. Eti\u010dke i pravne implikacije, poput za\u0161tite osobnih podataka, sigurnosti pohranjenih podataka i jasna pravila vlasni\u0161tva nad geneti\u010dkim podacima va\u017ean je dio genomike. Integriranje genomike u zdravstvo je globalna odgovornost.<\/p>\n<p>Povezivanje genomskih baza podataka milijuna genoma u EU do 2022. &#8220;<em>Towards access to 1 million Genomes in the EU by 2022\u201c<\/em> potpisalo je 20 dr\u017eava \u010dlanica uklju\u010duju\u0107i RH. Sekvenciranja milijun genoma omogu\u0107it \u0107e korisnicima pretra\u017eivanje i pristup podacima putem u\u010dinkovite strukture upravljanja podacima. Osigurati \u0107e se da istra\u017eiva\u010di, zdravstveni djelatnici, djelatnici koji pru\u017eaju usluge u dijagnostici i terapiji, udruge pacijenata, gra\u0111ani i parlamenti u zemljama EU-a mogu imati koristi od punog potencijala genomike za unaprje\u0111enje personalizirane medicine, ciljanih zdravstvenih intervencija koje vode boljoj prevenciji, ranoj dijagnozi i lije\u010denju ljudskih bolesti, od (rijetkih) monogenskih bolesti do zlo\u0107udnih i zaraznih bolesti. To je putokaz za razmjenu strategija, standarda i podataka na me\u0111unarodnoj razini kako bi se ubrzale i prihvatile promjene kroz globalno u\u010denje za europsko digitalno tr\u017ei\u0161te (engl. <em>Learning health system<\/em>). Suvremeni model online edukacije uklju\u010duje edukaciju za konkurentnost na tr\u017ei\u0161tu.<\/p>\n<p>Treba implementirati strojno u\u010denje i umjetnu inteligenciju (engl. <em>machine learning\/artificial inteligence, ML\/AI<\/em>) za stratifikaciju i personalizaciju klini\u010dkih entiteta i preciznu medicinu. Prioritet je interdisciplinarnost i relevantna ekspertiza za implementaciju validnih rje\u0161enja kako bi se olak\u0161ala dijagnostika i terapija, te smanjili tro\u0161kovi u zdravstvu.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Zakon o primijenjenoj genomici<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Cilj je regulirati geneti\u010dko testiranje u zakonodavnom okviru, podr\u017eati odgovorno, jednako i sigurno kori\u0161tenje geneti\u010dkih podataka u korist dobrobiti i zdravlja, uspostaviti nacionalnu centraliziranu bazu podataka gena, egzoma i genoma, podr\u017eati upotrebu geneti\u010dkih podataka u istra\u017eiva\u010dke i zdravstvene svrhe radi uskla\u0111enog elektroni\u010dkog zdravstvenog kartona za svakog gra\u0111anina EU-a.<\/p>\n<p>(Overview of EU National Legislation on Genomics, 2018. )<\/p>\n<p>Strategija podr\u017eava i promi\u010de oblikovanje zdravstvene politike utemeljene na dokazima. Neophodna je izravna suradnja s kreatorima politika i stru\u010dnjacima, te suradnja s istra\u017eiva\u010dkim sredi\u0161tima, me\u0111unarodnim organizacijama na analizi zdravstvenih sustava i trendova politike. Predla\u017ee se povezivanje sa sljede\u0107im institucijama: Svjetska zdravstvena organizacija, Europska komisija, Svjetska banka, Nacionalna i me\u0111unarodna sredi\u0161ta izvrsnosti, Hrvatska akademija znanosti i umjetnosti, Odbor za primijenjenu genomiku i vlada RH.<\/p>\n<p>Nacrt nacionalne Strategije usredoto\u010den na relevantnost politike i provedbu opcija politike biti \u0107e upu\u0107en vladi RH. Integriranje genomike u zdravstvo multidisciplinarna je suradnja akademije, vlasti, istra\u017eiva\u010da, specijalista pojedinih podru\u010dja, industrije i gra\u0111ana.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Biosigurnost i bioza\u0161tita<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Problem biosigurnosti i bioza\u0161tite je izrazito slo\u017een i pokriva \u010ditav spektar segmenata u kojima zdravlje ljudi mo\u017ee biti ugro\u017eeno \u2013 od klimatskih promjena preko bioterorizma do visokopatogenih mikroorganizma i mnogih drugih rizi\u010dnih okolnosti. Vjerojatno nikada kao danas ova tema nije bila tako aktualna, s obzirom na globalnu opasnost od terorizma, ali i brojne ratove i prirodne katastrofe, migracije kojima svakodnevno svjedo\u010dimo te pandemiju COVID-19. Posljednjih godina suo\u010deni smo s naglim razvojem genomike i njenog ula\u017eenja u \u0161iroka podru\u010dja ljudskog djelovanja, tako i u podru\u010dje biosigurnosti i bioza\u0161tite. Suvremene tehnologije primijenjene genomike va\u017ene su u brzoj identifikaciji infektivnih uzro\u010dnika, osobito onih visokopatogenih, kao i za otkrivanje do sada jo\u0161 nepoznatih, ali i geneti\u010dki izmijenjenih mikroorganizama. Stoga je vrijednost genomike i njezina primjena u strategiji razvoja biosigurnosti i bioza\u0161tite od iznimne va\u017enosti.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Biosigurnost i bioza\u0161tita kroz pandemiju COVID-19 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kada je prije tri godine zapo\u010dela pandemija uzrokovana SARS-CoV-2 u Kini, malo je tko mogao predvidjeti da \u0107e tako dugo trajati te da \u0107e poprimiti ovakve svjetske razmjere i posljedice. Bez obzira na modernu tehnologiju i u novije vrijeme nevi\u0111enu sinergiju znanosti, industrije i ekonomske potpore istra\u017eivanjima i inovaciji u razvoju dijagnostike, cjepiva i lijekova, svijet se suo\u010dio sa snagom virusa koji je unato\u010d svim svjetskim naporima napravio ne samo razorne poreme\u0107aje u zdravstvenim sustavima, nego i u ekonomskim, dru\u0161tvenim i financijskim sferama.<\/p>\n<p>Hrvatska i svjetska infektologija se gotovo cijelo stolje\u0107e nije bila suo\u010dila s ovakvom velepo\u0161a\u0161\u0107u kao \u0161to je predstavljao COVID-19, jo\u0161 od pandemija kolere te \u0161panjolske gripe kada se pretpostavlja da je umrlo vi\u0161e od 50 milijuna ljudi. Tijekom 20. stolje\u0107a je mo\u017eda najve\u0107i sli\u010dan izazov bila epidemija velikih boginja, gdje su i djelatnici Klinike za infektivne bolesti \u201eDr. Fran Mihaljevi\u0107\u201c bili uklju\u010deni u lije\u010denje bolesnika na Kosovu.<\/p>\n<p>Odmah na po\u010detku pandemije zapo\u010delo se sa \u0161irom edukacijom zdravstvenih djelatnika te je\u00a0 Hrvatsko dru\u0161tvo za biosigurnost i bioza\u0161titu, Hrvatskog lije\u010dni\u010dkog zbora u suradnji s Klinikom za infektivne bolesti \u201eDr. Fran Mihaljevi\u0107\u201c i Hrvatskom akademijom znanosti i umjetnosti organiziralo simpozij \u201eNovi koronavirus iz Kine: biosigurnosna prijetnja i izazov za zdravstvene djelatnike\u201c, koji je ujedno bio prvi simpozij odr\u017ean na ovu temu u Hrvatskoj.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Ono \u0161to je definitivno bila po\u010detna hrvatska prednost u lije\u010denju i zbrinjavanju bolesnika s COVID-19 su klinike i odjeli za infektivne bolesti raspore\u0111eni u cijeloj Hrvatskoj. Klinika za infektivne bolesti \u201eDr. Fran Mihaljevi\u0107\u201c Zagreb kao referentni centar za infektivne bolesti RH i sto\u017eerna institucija za lije\u010denje i dijagnostiku infektivnih bolesti, imenovana je odmah na po\u010detku pandemije od strane Ministarstva zdravstva RH, sredi\u0161njom klini\u010dkom ustanovom za lije\u010denje i zbrinjavanje bolesnika s COVID-19, osobito najte\u017eih koji su zahtijevali lije\u010denje u jedinicama intenzivnog lije\u010denja. Izniman doprinos tijeku epidemije je donijelo i uspostavljanje PCR-dijagnosti\u010dkog testa u Klinici oko tjedan dana nakon \u0161to je prvi test postavljen u Njema\u010dkoj, a mjesec dana prije prvog slu\u010daja COVID-19 u RH. Vrlo brzo u dijagnostiku se uklju\u010duje i Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo (HZJZ) te dvije institucije usko sura\u0111uju u daljnjem \u0161irenju dijagnosti\u010dkih sredi\u0161ta za dokazivanje COVID-19 u RH. Lije\u010denje i zbrinjavanje bolesnika u klinikama i odjelima za infektivne bolesti doprinijelo je sprje\u010davanju zna\u010dajnog \u0161irenja intrahospitalnih infekcija uzrokovanih SARS-CoV-2 u velikim klini\u010dkim centrima i scenarije koje smo vidjeli u Italiji i drugim zemljama u Svijetu. Time se dobilo na vremenu za dodatnom organizacijom klini\u010dkog rada, nabavkom dijagnosti\u010dke i za\u0161titne opreme. Svoj veliki obol svemu dala je i Klini\u010dka bolnica Dubrava, koja je zbog potrebe \u0161irenja klini\u010dkih kapaciteta organizirana kao COVID-19 bolnica s velikom dinamikom prijema bolesnika. Vrlo brzo se u sve uklju\u010duju i djelatnici svih klini\u010dkih bolni\u010dkih centara (KBC) u Hrvatskoj te klinika i bolnica, postupno organiziraju\u0107i izolacijske odjele, a jedno vrijeme su bolesnici kratkotrajno premje\u0161tani i u \u201eArena\u201c centar kojim je koordinirao KBC \u201eSestre milosrdnice\u201c. Definitivno sna\u017enu potporu u lije\u010dni\u010dkom i sestrinskom kadru te potrebnoj infrastrukturi su u daljnjem razvoju epidemije dali KBC Zagreb, Split, Rijeka i Osijek. Nemjerljiv je bio doprinos hrvatskih epidemiologa kroz HZJZ i druge zavode za javno zdravstvo u uspostavi i pra\u0107enju epidemiolo\u0161kih mjera, pra\u0107enju kretanja bolesti, organizaciji cijepljenja i brojnim drugim aktivnostima, kao i svih drugih zdravstvenih djelatnika koji su se aktivno uklju\u010dili u brobu protiv COVID-19.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hrvatsko dru\u0161tvo za biosigurnost i bioza\u0161titu \u2013 va\u017ean \u010dimbenik u kreiranju i provo\u0111enju strategije biosigurnosti i bioza\u0161tite<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Hrvatsko dru\u0161tvo za biosigurnost i bioza\u0161titu (HDBIB) Hrvatskog lije\u010dni\u010dkog zbora osnovano je 2014. godine. Zami\u0161ljeno je kao neprofitna organizacija koja ima za glavni cilj pru\u017eiti platformu za svoje \u010dlanstvo u razmatranju i rje\u0161avanju pitanja koja su vezana za biosigurnost i bioza\u0161titu na nacionalnoj i me\u0111unarodnoj razini. Osim lije\u010dnika razli\u010ditih struka, a u prvom redu infektologa, mikrobiologa, epidemiologa i javnozdravstvenih stru\u010dnjaka, HDBIB kontinuirano radi na okupljanju multidisciplinarne znanstvene, zdravstvene i akademske zajednice, uklju\u010duju\u0107i i farmaceutsku i biotehnolo\u0161ku industriju, veterinare, biologe, forenzi\u010dare, stru\u010dnjake tehni\u010dkih struka koji rade na dizajniranju laboratorija za opasne infektivne uzro\u010dnike te stru\u010dnjake iz oblasti regulatornih poslova, poslova nacionalne sigurnosti i sve druge srodne struke koje za cilj imaju unaprje\u0111enje nacionalne i me\u0111unarodne biosigurnosti i bioza\u0161tite.<\/p>\n<p>Osobita va\u017enost u HDBIB-u je posve\u0107ena povezivanju razli\u010ditih struka na na\u010delima \u201eInicijative jedno zdravlje\u201c (\u201eOne Health Initiative\u201c). Osnivanjem HDBIB-a, hrvatski stru\u010dnjaci iz oblasti biosigurnosti i bioza\u0161tite su u mogu\u0107nosti kroz \u010dlanstvo svog nacionalnog dru\u0161tva (HDBIB) sudjelovati aktivno u radu Europske udruge za biosigurnost (European Biosafety Association &#8211; EBSA) i Me\u0111unarodne federacije udruga za biosigurnost (International Federation of Biosafety Associations \u2013 IFBA) kroz me\u0111unarodne projekte, konferencije i razli\u010dite oblike me\u0111unarodne suradnje. Na taj na\u010din hrvatski stru\u010dnjaci mogu implementirati u Hrvatsku dobru me\u0111unarodnu praksu iz oblasti biosigurnosti, ali i svojim aktivnim djelovanjem doprinijeti daljnjem razvoju dobre me\u0111unarodne prakse ugra\u0111uju\u0107i u nju specifi\u010dnosti i izvrsnosti hrvatske nacionalne prakse iz oblasti biosigurnosti i bioza\u0161tite.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hrvatska kao \u010dlanica NATO-a i strategija biosigurnosti i bioza\u0161tite<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Za domovinsku i nacionalnu sigurnost RH te pozicioniranje RH kao va\u017enog partnera NATO-a, potrebno je razvijati strategiju biosigurnosti i bioza\u0161tite u cilju obrane od namjernih ili nenamjernih biolo\u0161kih ugroza u ratnim djelovanjima, ali i prirodnih biolo\u0161kih katastrofa koje mogu rezultirati pojavom epidemija\/pandemija novih i starih opasnih uzro\u010dnika infektivnih bolesti. RH ima iznimno va\u017ean geopoliti\u010dki i strate\u0161ki polo\u017eaj (\u201evrata Europe\u201c) koji mo\u017ee zna\u010dajno utjecati na obranu ne samo zemalja u regiji nego i cijele Europe, pa tako i za\u0161tite od potencijalnih biolo\u0161kih ugroza.<\/p>\n<p>Klinika za infektivne bolesti \u201eDr. Fran Mihaljevi\u0107\u201c sa svojom tradicijom od 130 godina uspje\u0161nog lije\u010denja i sprje\u010davanja zaraznih bolesti je klju\u010dna ustanova u RH, a zasigurno i lider u \u0161irem podru\u010dju jugoisto\u010dne Europe, koja na najvi\u0161oj razini mo\u017ee pru\u017eiti dijagnosti\u010dke i klini\u010dke kapacitete za zbrinjavanje vojske i civila pogo\u0111enih epidemijama zaraznih bolesti nastalih prirodnim putem ili kao rezultat vojnih i bioteroristi\u010dkih aktivnosti. Pri tome bi dragocjena bila suradnja s drugim zdravstvenim ustanovama na temelju iskustava u pandemiji COVID-19. Tako\u0111er je od iznimnog interesa za problematiku biosigurnosti i bioza\u0161tite zapo\u010deta rekonstrukcija i nadogradnja klini\u010dkih i dijagnosti\u010dkih kapaciteta Klinike koja \u0107e trajati nekoliko sljede\u0107ih godina uz potporu Vlade RH i razli\u010ditih EU fondova.<\/p>\n<p>Opasnost od kemijskog, biolo\u0161kog, radioaktivnog i nuklearnog (CBRN) oru\u017eja predstavlja zna\u010dajan izazov za \u010dlanice NATO-a tijekom operacija \u0161irom svijeta. Snaga ovog oru\u017eja, osobito biolo\u0161koga, je u njegovoj mogu\u0107nosti da izazove velik pobol me\u0111u pogo\u0111enim stanovni\u0161tvom\/vojskom te visoku stopu smrtnosti. U ovakvim situacijama iznimno je va\u017eno poznavati i imati spremne kapacitete i infrastrukturu za odgovor na CBRN oru\u017eje, na nacionalnoj i me\u0111unarodnoj razini.<\/p>\n<p>Stoga je iznimno va\u017ena spremnost u planiranju i djelovanju prije, tijekom i nakon namjernog ili nenamjernog incidenta s biolo\u0161kim oru\u017ejem ili patogenima koji se mogu upotrijebiti kao biolo\u0161ko oru\u017eje. Svjesnost ovakve potencijalne situacije zahtijeva svakako kapacitete i medicinsku C2 arhitekturu (Command and Control) u koordinaciji s civilnim medicinskim ustanovama na nacionalnoj i me\u0111unarodnoj razini.\u00a0 U tu svrhu, osobito kad se radi o biolo\u0161koj ugrozi i opasnosti od visokopatogenih, opasnih uzro\u010dnika, va\u017eni su infrastruktura i obu\u010deni stru\u010dnjaci koji \u0107e biti spremni u najkra\u0107em roku na prihvat, zbrinjavanje i lije\u010denje bolesnika zara\u017eenih opasnim, \u010desto karantenskim patogenima. To dakako uklju\u010duje planove evakuacije (MedEvac) i MASCAL (Mass Casuality) plan za krajnje zbrinjavanje i lije\u010denje bolesnika zara\u017eenih opasnim patogenima uz mjere izolacije, ali i mjere osobne za\u0161tite osoblja na terenu, tijekom evakuacije i u prihvatnoj ustanovi (COLPRO &#8211; Colective Protection). S obzirom na mogu\u0107e epidemije \u0161irih razmjera, potrebno je nerijetko i planiranje pro\u0161irenja kapaciteta u kojima bi se zbrinjavala ne samo vojska, nego i op\u0107a populacija i civili jer naj\u010de\u0161\u0107e same epidemije i tijekom biolo\u0161kog rata po\u010dinju u op\u0107oj populaciji. U okviru planiranja, edukacije, treninga i implementacije potrebne infrastrukture za odgovor na ugrozu infektivnim patogenima, va\u017ena je uspostava tima za rje\u0161avanje nejasnih bolesti i epidemija (RDOIT- \u201eRapidly Deployable Outbreak Investigation Teams\u201c) te tima specijaliziranoga za postupke intenzivnog lije\u010denja kriti\u010dno ugro\u017eenih bolesnika \u201eCCAST-Citical Care Air Support Team).<\/p>\n<p>Klinika infektivne bolesti \u201eDr. Fran Mihaljevi\u0107\u201c raspola\u017ee vrhunskim stru\u010dnjacima, zdravstvenim djelatnicima i znanstvenicima te zna\u010dajnom bolni\u010dkom i laboratorijskom infrastrukturom (uklju\u010duju\u0107i Laboratorij BSL3+ s \u201eGlove box\u201c mikrobiolo\u0161kim kabinetom klase 3, Odjel za izolacije). Me\u0111utim, da bi Klinika mogla u potpunosti pru\u017eiti potrebne kapacitete biosigurnosti u slu\u017ebi nacionalne i domovinske sigurnosti te postati klju\u010dna ustanova NATO-a za prihvat, lije\u010denje i zbrinjavanje tijekom potencijalne ugroze biolo\u0161kim infektivnim uzro\u010dnicima potrebna je ve\u0107 spomenuta rekonstrukcija\/nadogradnja s modernim klini\u010dkom i dijagnosti\u010dkom infrastrukturom te dodatna i kontinuirana edukacija i trening djelatnika.<\/p>\n<p>Na taj na\u010din bi Klinika za infektivne bolesti mogla sudjelovati u multinacionalnoj medicinskoj potpori u zajedni\u010dkim akcijama saveznica NATO-a, u smislu zajedni\u010dkog planiranja i implementacije mjera za provo\u0111enje zdravstvene za\u0161tite i zbrinjavanja bolesnika te primjene adekvatne klini\u010dke prakse pri ugrozi infektivnim patogenima u okviru CBRN opasnosti te zadovoljiti zahtjeve NATO Role 3 i 4, uz ekspertizu i pripravne eksperte za potencijalno djelovanje na razini Role 2.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Osnovne postavke strategije biosigurnosti i bioza\u0161tite u RH<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Strategija biosigurnosti i bioza\u0161tite danas ima klju\u010dnu ulogu u strate\u0161kim dokumentima brojnih dr\u017eava, dr\u017eavnih asocijacija te me\u0111unarodnih politi\u010dkih, vojnih, znanstvenih, stru\u010dnih i strate\u0161kih tijela. Osnovne smjernice na kojima bi se trebala kreirati strategija biosigurnosti i bioza\u0161tite u RH su navedene u donjem tekstu. Svoje temelje ova strategija nalazi i u Zakonu o sustavu domovinske sigurnosti (NN 108\/2017).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ciljevi<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Definiranje, uspostavljanje i koordinacija mre\u017ee institucija va\u017enih za obranu od bioterorizma i prirodnih biolo\u0161kih katastrofa;<\/li>\n<li>Nadogradnja infrastrukturnih kapaciteta va\u017enih za obranu od bioterorizma i prirodnih biolo\u0161kih katastrofa;<\/li>\n<li>Dodatna i kontinuirana izobrazba kadrova \u2013 eksperata u oblasti biosigurnosti i bioza\u0161tite;<\/li>\n<li>Definiranje izvora financiranja i odr\u017eivost uspostavljenog sustava obrane od bioterorizma i prirodnih biolo\u0161kih katastrofa;<\/li>\n<li>Suradnja s relevantnim me\u0111unarodnim \u010dimbenicima u obrani od bioterorizma i prirodnih biolo\u0161kih katastrofa;<\/li>\n<li>Definirati hodograme i odgovornosti u slu\u010daju pojave karantenski bolesti.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><u>\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n<p><strong>Definiranje, uspostavljanje i koordinacija mre\u017ee institucija va\u017enih za obranu od bioterorizma i prirodnih biolo\u0161kih katastrofa<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Pou\u010deni iskustvima COVID-19 te prija\u0161njim strate\u0161kim promi\u0161ljanima, koordinacija mre\u017ee ustanova va\u017enih za biosigurnost i bioza\u0161titu bi trebala sa\u010dinjavati sljede\u0107e ustanove:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Klinika za infektivne bolesti \u201eDr. Fran Mihaljevi\u0107\u201d Zagreb<\/li>\n<li>Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo<\/li>\n<li>Zavod za javno zdravstvo \u201eDr. Andrija \u0160tampar\u201d i drugi ZJZ<\/li>\n<li>Imunolo\u0161ki zavod, Zagreb<\/li>\n<li>Klini\u010dki bolni\u010dki centri<\/li>\n<li>Veterinarski fakultet, Zagreb<\/li>\n<li>Veterinarski institut, Zagreb<\/li>\n<li>\u0160umarski fakultet, Zagreb<\/li>\n<li>Agronomski fakultet Zagreb<\/li>\n<li>Medicinski fakulteti u Hrvatskoj<\/li>\n<li>Institut \u201eRu\u0111er Bo\u0161kovi\u0107\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Institut za medicinska istra\u017eivanja<\/li>\n<li>Po potrebi druge zdravstvene, znanstvene i akademske ustanove u javnom i privatnom sektoru<\/li>\n<li>Hrvatska vojska, policija, civilna za\u0161tita<\/li>\n<li>Ministarstvo zdravstva, Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova, Ministarstvo obrane<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><u>\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n<p><strong>Nadogradnja infrastrukturnih kapaciteta va\u017enih za obranu od bioterorizma i prirodnih biolo\u0161kih katastrofa<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Analiza smje\u0161tajnih bolni\u010dkih kapaciteta, uklju\u010duju\u0107i jedinice za izolaciju bolesnika i definiranje potreba u slu\u010daju bioteroristi\u010dkih napada i prirodnih katastrofa te potreba za nadogradnjom kapaciteta;<\/li>\n<li>Analiza laboratorijske opremljenosti i potrebe za nadogradnjom i validacijom te kupovinom nove opreme (multipleks tehnologija) uz nabavku prate\u0107ih bioinformati\u010dkih alata.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dodatna izobrazba kadrova<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dodatna i kontinuirana izobrazba postoje\u0107ih kadrova u podru\u010dju obrane od bioterorizma na na\u010delima forenzi\u010dke mikrobiologije;<\/li>\n<li>Definiranje potrebe za dodatnim kadrovima, zapo\u0161ljavanje i izobrazba novih kadrova u podru\u010dju obrane od bioterorizma na na\u010delima forenzi\u010dke mikrobiologije.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Definiranje izvora financiranja i odr\u017eivost uspostavljenog sustava<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sustavno planiranje financiranja i financiranje od strane relevantnih ministarstava<\/li>\n<li>Povla\u010denje sredstava iz infrastrukturnih fondova:\n<ul>\n<li>Obnavljanje opreme<\/li>\n<li>Izgradnja i renoviranje prostora<\/li>\n<li>Edukacija kadrova<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Povla\u010denje sredstava kroz projekte relevantnih me\u0111unarodnih institucija<\/li>\n<li>Strate\u0161ko lobiranje kroz EU, European Defence Agency, i NATO.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Suradnja s relevantnim me\u0111unarodnim \u010dimbenicima<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Suradnja s me\u0111unarodnim institucijama u EU (osobito HERA &#8211; Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority), regiji i ostalim dijelovima svijeta na:\n<ul>\n<li>Zajedni\u010dkom definiranju opasnosti od bioterorizma i prirodnih biolo\u0161kih katastrofa<\/li>\n<li>Kori\u0161tenju iskustva, znanja i infrastrukture potrebne za sprje\u010davanje, otkrivanje i suzbijanje bioterorizma i prirodnih biolo\u0161kih katastrofa<\/li>\n<li>Kontinuiranoj edukaciji na\u0161ih stru\u010dnjaka u me\u0111unarodnim institucijama, kao i me\u0111unarodnih stru\u010dnjaka u na\u0161im institucijama<\/li>\n<li>Uklju\u010divanju na\u0161ih stru\u010dnjaka u relevantna me\u0111unarodna tijela u borbi protiv bioterorizma i prirodnih biolo\u0161kih katastrofa.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Forenzi\u010dka genomika <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Nedvojbeno je da RH treba zadr\u017eati jednu od liderskih pozicija u podru\u010dju forenzi\u010dke genomike te je stoga nu\u017eno da aktivno sudjeluje u razvoju i primjeni novih tehnologija primijenjene genomike u forenzici. Posebno isti\u010demo razvoj niza metoda i postupaka koje treba sustavno integrirati u podru\u010dje forenzi\u010dke genomike:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; sekvenciranja nove generacije (engl. Next-generation suquencing),<\/p>\n<p>-mtDNA tehnika linearnih vrp\u010dica sa svrhom brze analize informativnih polimorfizama u cjelokupnom mitohondrijskom genomu u svrhu forenzi\u010dkih vje\u0161ta\u010denja,<\/p>\n<p>-forenzi\u010dke fenotipizacije,<\/p>\n<p>-utvr\u0111ivanja starosti biolo\u0161kog traga,<\/p>\n<p>-forenzi\u010dke analize RNK,<\/p>\n<p>-forenzi\u010dke analize biljne DNA,<\/p>\n<p>-forenzi\u010dke analize \u017eivotinjske DNA,<\/p>\n<p>-novog koncepta \u201emolekularne obdukcije\u201c,<\/p>\n<p>-farmakogenomike,<\/p>\n<p>-brze (rapidne) DNA tehnologije,<\/p>\n<p>-brze rapidne detekcije mikroorganizama.<\/p>\n<p>Zna\u010dajan zadatak forenzike genomike u RH je identifikacija \u017ertava Domovinskog rata koju treba intenzivno nastaviti do kona\u010dnog rje\u0161enja pitanja nestalih i smrtno stradalih osoba u Domovinskom ratu.<\/p>\n<p>Postoje\u0107u organizaciju forenzi\u010dke genomike u RH valja podr\u017eavati i unaprje\u0111ivati u skladu s razvojem modernih forenzi\u010dkih znanosti, a to podrazumijeva suradnju me\u0111u institucijama, me\u0111unarodnu suradnju, razvoj kadrova i timskog rada te razmjenu podataka.<\/p>\n<p>Primjena forenzi\u010dke genomike posebno zahtijeva i razvoj eti\u010dkih na\u010dela i odgovaraju\u0107eg pravnog okvira.<\/p>\n<p>Prethodno spomenuta tehnika sekvenciranja nove generacije ima potencijal rije\u0161iti najproblemati\u010dnije zada\u0107e u forenzici s gledi\u0161ta tehni\u010dke i statisti\u010dke obrade, a to je analiza mije\u0161anih tragova. S druge strane, iako \u0107e biti neizbje\u017eno u odre\u0111enim slu\u010dajevima raditi sekvenciranje mtDNA, razvoj metoda poput mtDNA tehnika linearnih vrp\u010dica, mo\u017ee omogu\u0107iti rapidnu analizu mtDNA po\u010dinitelja kaznenog djela, za \u0161to je ina\u010de potrebno puno dulje vremensko razdoblje koriste\u0107i standardan postupak sekvenciranja.<\/p>\n<p>Moderna forenzika je napravila golem iskorak po pitanju forenzi\u010dke fenotipizacije koja predstavlja postupak odre\u0111ivanja fenotipskih obilje\u017eja pojedinca na temelju informacija zapisanih u ljudskom genomu. Ova analiza je od iznimnog zna\u010daja u forenzici i istragama kada se prona\u0111e biolo\u0161ki trag na mjestu doga\u0111aja, a nemamo potencijalne po\u010dinitelje s kojima bi mogli usporediti rezultate analize DNA spornog traga. Tako je u posljednjih nekoliko godina razvijen je \u201eSnapshot Forensic DNA Phenotyping System\u201c koji na temelju bioinformati\u010dke analize podataka desetaka tisu\u0107a genotipova predvi\u0111a fenotip, tj. izgled osobe. Sustav koristi tzv. duboko rudarenje podataka (engl. <em>data mining<\/em>) i napredne algoritme strojnog u\u010denja za to\u010dno predvi\u0111anje geneti\u010dkog podrijetla, boje o\u010diju, kose, ko\u017ee, pjegavosti i morfologije lica u pojedinaca razli\u010ditih etni\u010dkih skupina, \u010dak i onih mije\u0161anog podrijetla.<\/p>\n<p>Nadalje, u cilju odre\u0111ivanja starosti biolo\u0161kog traga nu\u017eni su razvoj i primjena odgovaraju\u0107ih metoda (analize glikana ili promjene metilacije).<\/p>\n<p>Forenzi\u010dna analiza RNA nov je postupak u forenzi\u010dkoj genetici, nu\u017ean za identifikaciju tjelesnih teku\u0107ina (krv, menstruacijska krv, slina, mokra\u0107a, znoj, ejakulat, vaginalni materijal), jer postoje\u0107e metode temeljene na kemijskim, enzimskim i imunosnim reakcijama nisu dovoljno specifi\u010dni te zahtijevaju izvo\u0111enje vi\u0161estrukih testova koji dovode do uni\u0161tenja uzorka koji ionako postoji u ograni\u010denoj (maloj) koli\u010dini.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Forenzi\u010dne primjene analize biljne DNA zna\u010dajno unaprje\u0111uje forenzi\u010dku botaniku.- Tragovi biljnog podrijetla mogu biti forenzi\u010dki dokazi. Forenzi\u010dkoj palinologiji (identifikacija peludi), zbog specifi\u010dnosti atraktivnost zna\u010denje\u00a0 iznimno raste kao i utvr\u0111ivanja kanabinoidnih profila.<\/p>\n<p>S druge strane, analiza DNA \u017eivotinjskog podrijetla omogu\u0107uje pouzdano nedvojbeno utvr\u0111ivanje tragova \u017eivotinjskog podrijetla, primjerice dlake odre\u0111ene \u017eivotinjske jedinke \u0161to mo\u017ee biti zna\u010dajni forenzi\u010dki dokaz.<\/p>\n<p>Molekularna obdukcija prvenstveno opisuje metodu geneti\u010dkog testiranje koje se radi na tkivima uzetima tijekom obdukcije kako bi se potvrdila povezanost odre\u0111enih genskih mutacija povezanih s npr. iznenadnom sr\u010danom smrti.<\/p>\n<p>Farmakogenomi\u010dka analiza u forenzici ima klju\u010dnu ulogu u tuma\u010denju individualnog reagiranja na lijek, uklju\u010duju\u0107i toksi\u010dnost lijeka koji mo\u017ee dovesti do smrtnog ishoda.<\/p>\n<p>Razvoj brzih tehnika DNA predvi\u0111a nekoliko promjena koje \u0107e u cijelosti promijeniti primjenu forenzi\u010dnih tehnika DNA. Brzi instrumenti u kona\u010dnici \u0107e biti integrirani u policijske stanice omogu\u0107uju\u0107i policiji da brzo razvija pretra\u017eivanja prema CODIS-u (Combined DNA Index System) ili lokalnim bazama podataka kako bi se ispravno identificirao po\u010dinitelj kaznenog djela.<\/p>\n<p>Forenzi\u010dka mikrobiologija ima klju\u010dnu ulogu u detekciji potencijalnih biolo\u0161kih agensa, posebice koriste\u0107i postupke PCR, jer brzo te s velikom precizno\u0161\u0107u i to\u010dno\u0161\u0107u daje rezultate.<\/p>\n<p>Identifikacije \u017ertava Domovinskog rata<\/p>\n<p>Prema stanju evidencija na dan 31. prosinca 2021. godine otvorena su 1 454 zahtjeva za tra\u017eenje osoba nestalih u Domovinskom ratu te 398 zahtjeva za tra\u017eenje posmrtnih ostataka smrtno stradalih osoba za koje nije poznato mjesto ukopa, \u0161to ukupno \u010dini 1 852 nerije\u0161ena slu\u010daja iz razdoblja Domovinskoga rata. RH mora iskazati bezuvjetnu predanost i posve\u0107enost rje\u0161avanju pitanja nestalih i smrtno stradalih osoba u Domovinskom ratu za koje nije poznato mjesto ukopa. Posebno se treba intenzivirati rad <em>Radne skupine za prikupljanje saznanja o nestalim osobama i neregistriranim grobnim mjestima<\/em>, sastavljene od predstavnika Ministarstva, Ministarstva unutarnjih poslova, sigurnosno &#8211; obavje\u0161tajnih agencija i Dr\u017eavnoga odvjetni\u0161tva RH, uz \u010diji se doprinos na dnevnoj razini prikupljaju, razmjenjuju i ra\u0161\u010dlanjuju relevantna saznanja.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Organizacija forenzike u RH<\/p>\n<p>Uspje\u0161na primjena forenzi\u010dke genomike zahtijeva interakciju izme\u0111u znanstveno-nastavnih ustanova (Sveu\u010dili\u0161ni Odjel za forenzi\u010dne znanosti, Sveu\u010dili\u0161ta u Splitu, Stru\u010dni studij \u2013 Kriminalistika pri Policijskoj akademiji, pravni fakulteti hrvatskih sveu\u010dili\u0161ta), Zavoda za sudsku medicinu, MUP-a, Centra za forenzi\u010dka vje\u0161ta\u010denja i ispitivanja \u201cIvan Vuc\u030cetic\u0301\u201d pri MUP-u, MORH-a, sigurnosno-obavje\u0161tajnih agencija (SOA, VSOA), Ureda Vije\u0107a za nacionalnu sigurnost, Instituta za antropolo\u0161ka istra\u017eivanja, Genos d.o.o. itd. Suradnja s brojnim sli\u010dnim ustanovama iz inozemstva, Ameri\u010dkom Akademijom za forenzi\u010dke znanosti, Me\u0111unarodnim dru\u0161tvom primijenjenih biolo\u0161kih znanosti (ISABS) itd., nu\u017ena je kako bi se hrvatski forenzi\u010dari upoznali s najnovijim dostignu\u0107ima iz podru\u010dja forenzi\u010dke genetike, ali prezentirali i rezultate vlastitog rada i istra\u017eivanja.<\/p>\n<p>Edukacija budu\u0107ih kadrova treba biti usmjerena na osposobljavanju stru\u010dnjaka za laboratorijsku analizu biolo\u0161kih i kemijskih tragova s ciljem pru\u017eanja dodatnih informacija istra\u017enim i sudskim tijelima, ispitivanju kontrole kvalitete te primjeni akreditacijskih standarda u forenzi\u010dnim laboratorijima. Edukacija treba obuhvatiti provedbu forenzi\u010dno-biolo\u0161kih i forenzi\u010dno kemijskih metoda u obradi biolo\u0161kih tragova ljudskoga, \u017eivotinjskog i biljnog podrijetla, kao i kemijskih tragova.<\/p>\n<p>Primjena forenzi\u010dke genomike zahtijeva timski rad i interdisciplinarni pristupi. U timovima moraju sudjelovati stru\u010dnjaci iz podru\u010dja molekularne biologije, medicinske biokemije, specijalisti laboratorijske medicine, specijalisti patologije i sudske medicine, specijalisti i subspecijalisti iz medicinske genetike, bioinformati\u010dari itd. Posebno mjesto u razvoju moderne forenzi\u010dke genetike imaju stru\u010dnjaci za kazneno i gra\u0111ansko pravo, kriminalisti, stru\u010dnjaci iz podru\u010dja medicinske etike i drugi.<\/p>\n<p>Uspje\u0161na primjena forenzi\u010dke genomike zahtijeva razmjenu podataka izme\u0111u dr\u017eava. Neosporno je da bez razmjene podataka nema niti uspje\u0161ne borbe protiv me\u0111unarodnog kriminala, trgovine ljudima, bioterorizma itd.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Eti\u010dka pitanja u forenzi\u010dkoj genomici<\/p>\n<p>Klju\u010dna eti\u010dka pitanja forenzi\u010dke genomike uklju\u010duju pravednost, privatnost, povjerljivost, informirani pristanak, dobro\u010dinstvo i korisnost. S druge strane u redoslijedu postupaka u forenzi\u010dkoj genomike iznimno je va\u017eno pratiti sljedivost uzorka te se stoga poseban naglasak stavlja na prikupljanje uzorka s mjesta doga\u0111aja i uzorkovanja uz suglasnost, ali i dobivanja uzoraka DNADNA iz medicinskih izvora ili od istra\u017eiva\u010da. Posebno je zanimljivo dobivanja uzoraka DNA iz medicinskih izvora ili od istra\u017eiva\u010da, gdje eti\u010dka pitanja proizlaze iz mogu\u0107nosti kori\u0161tenja geneti\u010dkih informacija ili uzoraka prikupljenih za medicinske i druge svrhe u svrhu kriminalisti\u010dke istrage. S druge strane moderna forenzi\u010dka genetika i dalje treba prona\u0107i odgovore na sljede\u0107a pitanja:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Koja kaznena djela trebaju aktivirati pretra\u017eivanje DNA baza podataka?<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; U kojem trenutku bi se uzorci trebali prikupljati (nakon podizanja optu\u017enice ili nakon pritvora ili pak po ro\u0111enju za osnivanje \u0161iroke &#8211; preventivne populacijske baze podataka)?<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Koje lokuse u genomu treba analizirati da bi se generirali geneti\u010dki profili nu\u017eni za forenzi\u010dku obradu?<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Tko bi trebao imati pristup uzorcima i profilima DNA i u koje svrhe?<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Koliko dugo profile DNA i uzorke treba zadr\u017eati u DNA bazi podataka?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eti\u010dka na\u010dela primijenjene humane genomike<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cilj <\/strong>ovoga dokumenta je odrediti eti\u010dka na\u010dela primijenjene genomike u Hrvatskoj.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Razlog <\/strong>za izradu ovih na\u010dela nalazi se u razvoju genomike, \u0161to predstavlja podru\u010dje novih izazova i neizvjesnosti. Prikupljanje cjelogenomskih podataka za populaciju pru\u017ea golemu koli\u010dinu podataka iz kojih je mogu\u0107e bolje precizirati fenotipsko-genotipske odnose. Takve i druge spoznaje iz podru\u010dja genomike mogu dodatno utjecati na planiranja u zdravstvu, na reproduktivne odluke, obiteljske i druge dru\u0161tvene odnose, manipuliranje genima i na promjenu granice izme\u0111u zdravlja i bolesti.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Svrha <\/strong>eti\u010dkih na\u010dela je pru\u017eiti pisana temeljna pravila za postupanje u podru\u010dju primijenjene genomike. Na\u010dela trebaju sprije\u010diti zlouporabu podataka, zlouporabu uzoraka za genske testove i drugo postupanje u podru\u010dju genomike koje mo\u017ee imati negativne posljedice kao i stigmatizaciju osoba na temelju geneti\u010dkih obilje\u017eja.<\/p>\n<p>Rije\u010di i pojmovni sklopovi koji imaju rodno zna\u010denje odnose se na jednak na\u010din na mu\u0161ki i \u017eenski rod.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Uvod <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>U ljudskom genomu se nalazi \u201eupisana\u201c njegova pro\u0161lost, sada\u0161njost i budu\u0107nost. Geneti\u010dko obilje\u017eje, bolest ili poreme\u0107aj razlikuje se od ostalih zbog mogu\u0107nosti ponavljanja bolesti u srodnika, specifi\u010dnih psiholo\u0161kih problema te dru\u0161tvenih implikacija i pravnih problema. Ljudski genom je nazvan ba\u0161tinom \u010dovje\u010danstva. Promjene gena mogu imati neizvjesne posljedice na potomke. Uporaba \u017eivotinjskog materijala u humanoj genomici uple\u0107e se u razna obilje\u017eja \u010dovjeka, uklju\u010duju\u0107i i identitet pripadnosti ljudskoj vrsti. Razvoj civilizacije osim za budu\u0107nost \u010dovjeka ima odgovornost i za ostala \u017eiva bi\u0107a i okoli\u0161.<\/p>\n<p>U primijenjenoj humanoj genomici mora biti po\u0161tovan mjerodavni pravni okvir: Konvencija Vije\u0107a Europe iz Ovieda sa svojim protokolima, deklaracija UNESCO-a (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.unesco.org\/themes\/ethics-science-and-technology\/human-genome-and-human-rights\">https:\/\/en.unesco.org\/themes\/ethics-science-and-technology\/human-genome-and-human-rights<\/a> kao i <a href=\"https:\/\/unesdoc.unesco.org\/ark:\/48223\/pf0000146180\">https:\/\/unesdoc.unesco.org\/ark:\/48223\/pf0000146180<\/a>), preporuke Svjetske zdravstvene organizacije (<em>WHO Expert Advisory Committee on Developing Global Standards for Governance and Oversight of Human Genome Editing) <\/em>i pozitivni nacionalni pravni propisi.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Na\u010dela <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Znanstvenici, klini\u010dari i drugi djelatnici u podru\u010dju primijenjene genomike du\u017eni su slijediti humanisti\u010dka moralna na\u010dela. Ta na\u010dela su iznad znanstvenih i tehnolo\u0161kih mogu\u0107nosti i dosega.<\/p>\n<p>Eti\u010dka na\u010dela primijenjene genomike temelje se na op\u0107im na\u010delima humanosti, slobode i autonomije pojedinca u odlu\u010divanju, jednakosti\/jednakopravnosti, solidarnosti, dru\u0161tvenoj pravdi, pravu na privatnost, odgovornosti, sigurnosti, znanju, pravu na informiranost i op\u0107enito po\u0161tovanju ljudskih prava. Postupci u podru\u010dju primijenjene genomike moraju biti svima dostupni.<\/p>\n<p>Postupanja u primijenjenoj genomici moraju \u0161tititi \u017eivot, zdravlje i dostojanstvo \u010dovjeka, ali i druga \u017eiva bi\u0107a, okoli\u0161 i bioraznolikost.<\/p>\n<p>Postupci u genomici moraju biti opravdani znanjem, a provoditi se smiju samo u medicinske ili znanstvene svrhe, uz du\u017ean oprez pri novim i nepoznatim situacijama.<\/p>\n<p>Ako se sumnje u to da \u0107e odre\u0111eni postupak imati negativne posljedice ne mogu otkloniti, tada od takvog postupka treba odustati. Editiranje gena za sada nije eti\u010dki prihvatljivo.<\/p>\n<p>Primijenjena genomika predstavlja podru\u010dje privatnosti osobe, a op\u0107a korist ili korist druge osobe samo iznimno mogu imati prednost u odnosu na privatnost osobe.<\/p>\n<p>Potreban je pisani informirani pristanak osobe nad kojom se provode postupci u genomici. Osobi moraju biti primjereno obja\u0161njeni rezultati genskih testova i drugih postupaka iz podru\u010dja genomike i njihovo zna\u010denje. Osoba ima pravo i na odbijanje saznavanja takvih rezultata. Osobi treba objasniti mogu\u0107e rizike za \u010dlanove njegove obitelji s obzirom na dobivene rezultate genskog testa ili drugog postupka iz podru\u010dja genomike.<\/p>\n<p>Osoba i njezina obitelj ne smiju biti diskriminirani niti stigmatizirani na temelju rezultata geneti\u010dkog testiranja.<\/p>\n<p>Podaci dobiveni postupcima u genomici su tajni i ne smiju se odavati drugim osobama bez pisanog odobrenja osobe na koju se odnose ili njegovog zakonskog zastupnika. Takvi podaci su vlasni\u0161tvo osobe na koju se odnose i smiju se koristiti u medicinske, pravne, istra\u017eiva\u010dke ili druge svrhe samo uz vlasnikov pisani pristanak. Tajnost podataka i potreba suglasnosti vlasnika na njihovo dijeljenje prote\u017ee se i na sve sustave u kojima se prenose ili pohranjuju, a obvezuju\u0107a su i nakon vlasnikove smrti. Iznimno se u slu\u010daju ugro\u017eenosti srodnika za koje se pretpostavlja da dijele genski zapis s osobom o \u010dijim genskim podacima je rije\u010d, tim srodnicima mogu takvi podaci otkriti bez pristanka osobe \u010diji su genski podaci.<\/p>\n<p>Postupci promjene ljudskog genoma mogu se izvoditi samo u preventivne i terapijske svrhe i na na\u010din da se tako promijenjeni geni ne prenose na potomstvo.<\/p>\n<p>Kloniranje, odnosno stvaranje genski identi\u010dnih ljudi nije eti\u010dki prihvatljivo, kao ni stvaranje bi\u0107a od razli\u010ditih vrsta \u017eivih bi\u0107a koja uklju\u010duju dijelove ljudskih gena.<\/p>\n<p>Pri postupanju u genomici moraju se po\u0161tovati \u017eivotinje, biljke i drugi okoli\u0161. Postupci na \u017eivotinjama moraju biti u skladu s na\u010delom najmanje patnje, a treba te\u017eiti alternativnim postupcima i onima na \u0161to manje \u017eivotinja. Ako postoji utjecaj postupaka u genomici na biljke i drugi okoli\u0161, potrebno ga je procijeniti i postupke prilagoditi u skladu s na\u010delom najmanje \u0161tete.<\/p>\n<p>Postupke u podru\u010dju genomike mogu vr\u0161iti samo za to obrazovani i certificirani stru\u010dnjaci u za to akreditiranim laboratorijima i ustanovama.<\/p>\n<p>Opravdano je voditi registar podataka iz genomike i uklju\u010diti se u razmjenu informacija na globalnoj razini. U me\u0111unarodnim projektima iz podru\u010dja genomike Hrvatska mo\u017ee sudjelovati isklju\u010divo uz uva\u017eavanje ovih na\u010dela.<\/p>\n<p>Tko posumnja na kr\u0161enje Eti\u010dkih na\u010dela u primijenjenoj genomici, taj o tomu treba prijaviti nadle\u017enim institucijama.<\/p>\n<p>O ovim Eti\u010dkim na\u010delima treba podu\u010davati u okviru obrazovnih kurikula i o njima treba informirati javnost. O njima treba poticati trajnu \u0161iru javnu raspravu.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Biotehnologija<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kao uvod u Strategiju primijenjene genomike za podru\u010dje Biotehni\u010dkih znanosti, polje Biotehnologija, dana je definicija pojma Biotehnologija i to njezina kra\u0107a verzija (ovdje ispod), a pro\u0161irena definicija mo\u017ee se na\u0107i na mre\u017enoj stranici Hrvatske enciklopedije (citiranje ovdje ispod).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Definicija<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Biotehnologija je znanost o biolo\u0161kim procesima koji se primjenjuju za proizvodnju i pretvorbu tvari posredovanjem biokatalizatora, tj. enzima (enzimna tehnologija), mikroorganizama, posebno bakterija i kvasaca (mikrobna tehnologija) te \u017eivotinjskih i biljnih stanica. Metodama geneti\u010dkog in\u017eenjerstva prenose se informacijske molekule iz stanica vi\u0161ih organizama u prikladne mikroorganizme, koji zatim, tako transformirani, omogu\u0107uju industrijsku proizvodnju ljudskih bjelan\u010devina, hormona i drugih biolo\u0161ki aktivnih spojeva. Europska federacija za biotehnologiju (EFB) preporu\u010dila je 1989. sljede\u0107u definiciju: \u201eBiotehnologija je zdru\u017eivanje prirodnih i in\u017eenjerskih znanosti radi primjene organizama, stanica, njihovih dijelova i molekularnih analoga za produkte i usluge\u201c.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Citiranje: biotehnologija. Hrvatska enciklopedija, mre\u017eno izdanje.<\/em>\u00a0Leksikografski zavod Miroslav Krle\u017ea, 2021. Pristupljeno 28. 2. 2023. &lt;http:\/\/www.enciklopedija.hr\/Natuknica.aspx?ID=7808&gt;.)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dionici<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Strategija primijenjene genomike za podru\u010dje Biotehni\u010dkih znanosti, polje Biotehnologija zasniva se na potrebama i prioritetima u RH i EU, a obuhva\u0107a izazove, koji se odnose na promjenu klime (npr. su\u0161e i poplave), zdravlje (npr. pandemija COVID-19) i geopoliti\u010dke doga\u0111aje (npr. poreme\u0107aji lanaca opskrbe i druga krizna stanja).<\/p>\n<p>Stoga bi se u ovu Strategiju uklju\u010dili svi dionici, prvenstveno na nacionalnoj razini, ali i iz EU-a, koji bi sudjelovali u raspravi i definirali potrebe i prioritete, prije svega za primijenjenu genomiku u polju Biotehnologija ali i druga podru\u010dja i polja u koja se Biotehnologija propulzivno integrira, i tako formirali ovaj polazni dokument, koji bi se zanavljao i prilago\u0111avao sukladno zahtjevima s naglaskom na njegovu odr\u017eivost.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Na\u010dela i zakonski okviri<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Strategija primijenjene genomike za polje Biotehnologija prije svega slijedi eti\u010dka na\u010dela (pogl. Eti\u010dka na\u010dela u biomedicinskoj genomici), a zatim i druge okvire, kao \u0161to su prioriteti Europske komisije (<a href=\"https:\/\/commission.europa.eu\/system\/files\/2020-04\/political-guidelines-next-commission_hr.pdf\">https:\/\/commission.europa.eu\/system\/files\/2020-04\/political-guidelines-next-commission_hr.pdf<\/a>): (1) Europski zeleni plan, (2) Europa spremna za digitalno doba, (3) Gospodarstvo u interesu gra\u0111ana, (4) Sna\u017enija Europa u svijetu, (5) Promicanje europskog na\u010dina \u017eivota, i (6) Novi poticaj europskoj demokraciji; kao i Strategija biogospodarstva RH (ova bi Strategija trebala biti dostupna predvidivo u svibnju 2023.). Strategija primijenjene genomike za polje Biotehnologija po\u0161tuje sve relevantne zakonske odrednice, kao \u0161to je i Zakon o genetski modificiranim organizmima (NN 126\/19).<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Tematska podru\u010dja<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>U Strategiji primijenjene genomike za polje Biotehnologije obuhva\u0107eno je sedam (7) tematskih podru\u010dja kako slijedi: (1) Agroekologija, (2) Sustavi proizvodnje i opskrbe hranom, (3) Lanci dodane vrijednosti \u0161uma, (4) Upravljanje slatkovodnim i morskim i obalnim resursima, (5) Bioenergetika, (6) Napredne biokemikalije, faramaceutici i biomaterijali, i (7) Obrazovanje u podru\u010dju Biotehnologije.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Izazovi<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Strategija primijenjene genomike za polje Biotehnologija definira sedam glavnih izazova:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Pobolj\u0161anje infrastrukture u istra\u017eivanju i inovacijama, primjena rezultata istra\u017eivanja i inovacija u biotehnolo\u0161koj proizvodnji i tje\u0161nja suradnja izme\u0111u akademske zajednice i proizvo\u0111a\u010da biotehnolo\u0161kih proizvoda i usluga.<\/li>\n<li>Pove\u0107anje iskori\u0161tenosti biomase i cjelokupnih lanaca dodane vrijednosti primjenom inovativnih tehnologija i drugih rje\u0161enja, ali i modela investiranja i poslovanja s naglaskom na zasnivanje i razvoj malih i srednjih biotehnolo\u0161kih tvrtki.<\/li>\n<li>Reorganizaciju multidisciplinarnog koncepta bioekonomije u smislu integracije sektorski orijentiranih politika. Kako bioekonomija objedinjuje poljoprivredu, \u0161umarstvo, ribarstvo, zatim proizvodnju hrane, energije i svih tzv. bioproizvoda, onda se ovdje pretpostavlja integracija svih politika povezanih s ovim sektorima, a koja je u skladu sa strategijom bioekonomije EU-a (https:\/\/research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu\/research-area\/environment\/bioeconomy\/bioeconomy-strategy_en).<\/li>\n<li>Pove\u0107anje vidljivosti i uklju\u010divanje svih dionika: primarnih proizvo\u0111a\u010da i prera\u0111iva\u010dke industrije, tzv. vlasnika robnih marki, potro\u0161a\u010da, malih i srednjih tvrtki, istra\u017eiva\u010dkih i tehnolo\u0161kih sredi\u0161ta i sveu\u010dili\u0161ta, a posebice gra\u0111anskog dru\u0161tva, u kreiranju i provo\u0111enju Strategije primijenjene genomike u polju Biotehnologija.<\/li>\n<li>Dostupnost izvora financiranja i zasnivanje javno-privatnog partnerstva za istra\u017eivanje i razvoj u propulzivnom polju Biotehnologija.<\/li>\n<li>Reorganizacija obrazovnog sustava s naglaskom na selekciju nadarenih pojedinaca i anga\u017eman nastavnika u cilju smanjivanja obima (kvantitete) klasi\u010dnih oblika podu\u010davanja i pove\u0107anja zastupljenosti projektnog pristupa podu\u010davanju, kao i uvo\u0111enje kontinuiranog (cjelo\u017eivotnog) u\u010denja.<\/li>\n<li>Depolitizacija koncepta bioekonomije i definiranje stvarnih (realnih) problema i izazova, kao i neovisnost istaknutih i dokazanih stru\u010dnjaka u cilju njihova djelovanja izvan okvira definiranih politika.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Ovih sedam glavnih izazova posebice se odnose na proizvodnju i izvoz ciljanih biotehnolo\u0161kih proizvoda (hrane i pi\u0107a kao i farmaceutskih proizvoda), kako je to utvr\u0111eno za RH tijekom 2014. godine (Peru\u0161ko i sur., 2018).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ciljevi<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Cilj Strategije primijenjene genomike za polje Biotehnologija je unaprje\u0111enje kompetitivne bioekonomije u smislu kreiranja odr\u017eive kvalitete \u017eivota u budu\u0107nosti i to po\u0161tuju\u0107i na\u010dela cirkularnosti, odr\u017eivosti i planetarnih granica. Stoga su glavni ciljevi ove Strategije za polje Biotehnologija sljede\u0107i:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Ubrzati inovacije i razvoj kao i primjenu inovativnih rje\u0161enja.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>I.1. Pove\u0107ati opseg me\u0111udisciplinarnih istra\u017eivanja i inovacijskih aktivnosti, razviti i<\/p>\n<p>demonstrirati odr\u017eiva rje\u0161enja na na\u010delima biotehnologije.<\/p>\n<p>I.2. Pove\u0107ati i integrirati istra\u017eiva\u010dki i inovacijski kapacitet, posebice u slabije zastupljenim sredinama.<\/p>\n<p>I.3. Pove\u0107ati istra\u017eiva\u010dki i inovacijski kapacitet i razvoj odr\u017eivih inovacija u polju<\/p>\n<p>Biotehnologija uz osiguranje odr\u017eivosti i za\u0161tite okoli\u0161a kroz cijeli inovacijski lanac.<\/p>\n<p>I.4. Pove\u0107ati istra\u017eiva\u010dki i inovacijski kapacitet i razvoj odr\u017eivih inovacija u polju \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Biotehnologija uz pomo\u0107 najnovijih dostignu\u0107a na polju umjetne inteligencije (AI).<\/p>\n<p>I.5. Pozicionirati biotehnologiju kao klju\u010dno polje bioekonomije RH, bez kojega nije mogu\u0107e graditi ekonomski razvoj niti istinski gospodariti stvarnim kompetitivnim prednostima RH (obradive povr\u0161ine i marginalno zemlji\u0161te, zatim vodeni, morski i obalni resursi kao i \u0161umska biomasa) i u skladu s time prioritizirati sva budu\u0107a ulaganja u razvoj znanstvene infrastrukture.<\/p>\n<p>I.6. Definirati sredi\u0161ta razvoja, istra\u017eivanja i inovacijskih aktivnosti na temelju jasnih pokazatelja uspje\u0161nosti (broj i kvaliteta publikacija, projekata, doktoranada i sl.) te sukladno tome rasporediti budu\u0107a sredstva za ulaganje u infrastrukturu najuspje\u0161nijima u polju Biotehnologija. Potaknuti \u0161irenje najuspje\u0161nijih sredi\u0161ta u slabije zastupljene sredine kroz poticajne mjere, a bez otvaranja novih sredi\u0161ta u sredinama koje nemaju odr\u017eiv ljudski potencijal.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Informirati sve dionike, posebice krajnjeg potro\u0161a\u010da i tako kreirati tr\u017ei\u0161te biotehnolo\u0161kih proizvoda i usluga.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>II.1. Oja\u010dati integraciju biotehnolo\u0161kih istra\u017eivanja i inovacija u bioindustriju u RH i EU i pove\u0107ati uklju\u010denost sudionika istra\u017eivanja i inovacija, kao i dobavlja\u010da sirovina.<\/p>\n<p>Omogu\u0107iti tehni\u010dku (pravnu) i financijsku pomo\u0107 institucijama koje ula\u017eu u za\u0161titu<\/p>\n<p>intelektualnog vlasni\u0161tva i financijski stimulirati pojedince &#8211; autore inovacija.<\/p>\n<p>II.2. Smanjiti rizik ulaganja u istra\u017eivanje i inovacije u okviru projekata i biotehnolo\u0161kih tvrtki. Bitno umanjiti ili potpuno ukloniti stopu PDV-a na ulaganja u istra\u017eivanje i razvoj.<\/p>\n<p>Stimulirati privatne tvrtke iz biotehnolo\u0161kog sektora da doniraju sredstva i opremu visoko\u0161kolskim ustanovama, koje obrazuju stru\u010dnjake neophodne za funkcioniranje ovih<\/p>\n<p>tvrtki, i definirati porezne odbitke za ove tvrtke. Omogu\u0107iti donacije u tehni\u010dkoj opremi<\/p>\n<p>bez oporezivanja donatora.<\/p>\n<p>III. Osigurati za\u0161titu i o\u010duvanje okoli\u0161a i bioraznolikost, posebice kod velikih proizvodnih sustava.<\/p>\n<p>III.1. Osigurati kru\u017enost pri razvoju i implementaciji biotehnolo\u0161kih proizvodnih procesa i pru\u017eanja usluga vode\u0107i ra\u010duna o za\u0161titi okoli\u0161a, uklju\u010duju\u0107i doprinose klimatskim promjenama i klimatskoj neutralnosti kao i nultom one\u010di\u0161\u0107enju te dru\u0161tvenom prihva\u0107anju.<\/p>\n<p>Uvesti tzv. ekolo\u0161ke mjere u formiranju stope PDV-a za tvrtke, pri \u010demu bi bilo mogu\u0107e<\/p>\n<p>smanjiti porez za tvrtke koje se bave primarnom proizvodnjom, a pri tome ula\u017eu u<\/p>\n<p>zbrinjavanje otpada, smanjivanje emisije CO<sub>2<\/sub> i sl.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prioriteti<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Prioriteti Strategije primijenjene genomike za podru\u010dje Biotehni\u010dkih znanosti, polje Biotehnologija mogu se raspodijeliti u \u010detiri (4) kategorije: 1. Sirovine, 2. Proizvodnja, 3. Proizvodi i usluge, i 4. Komuniciranje, financije i odr\u017eivost ekosustava. Sadr\u017eaj pobrojenih prioriteta dan je ovdje ispod.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Sirovine<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>1.1. Osigurati odr\u017eivu dostupnost i kvalitetu sirovina za biotehnolo\u0161ku industrijsku<\/p>\n<p>proizvodnju.<\/p>\n<p>1.2. Za\u0161titi i unaprijediti bioraznolikost i ekosustave u lancu dobave sirovina.<\/p>\n<p>1.3. Uklju\u010diti stru\u010dnjake iz visoko\u0161kolskih ustanova i istra\u017eiva\u010dkih instituta u kontinuirane klju\u010dne aktivnosti usmjerene na za\u0161titu i unaprije\u0111enje bioraznolikosti i ekosustava u lancu dobave sirovina (radne skupine za izradu strategija, zakonskih okvira, elaborata i dr.).<\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li>Proizvodnja<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>2.1. Razviti inovativne postupke, tehnologije i bioprocese za proizvodnju biotehnolo\u0161kih proizvoda i usluga.<\/p>\n<p>2.2. Pobolj\u0161ati u\u010dinak biotehnolo\u0161kih proizvodnih sustava na okoli\u0161.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li>Proizvodi i usluge<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>3.1. Osmisliti, razviti i proizvesti inovativne biotehnolo\u0161ke proizvode i usluge.<\/p>\n<p>3.2. Pove\u0107ati mjerilo proizvodnje, prihvatljivost na tr\u017ei\u0161tu i potra\u017enju za inovativnim<\/p>\n<p>biotehnolo\u0161kim proizvodima i uslugama.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li>Komuniciranje, financije i odr\u017eivost ekosustava<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>4.1. Komuniciranje<\/p>\n<p>4.1.1. Poticati istra\u017eiva\u010dke aktivnosti u sredinama s nedovoljno razvijenim<\/p>\n<p>kapacitetima za istra\u017eivanje i inovacije u polju Biotehnologija na temelju prethodno<\/p>\n<p>izra\u0111enog prioritetnog plana, koji sadr\u017ei mapu RH s nazna\u010denim biotehnolo\u0161kim<\/p>\n<p>potencijalom svih regija i ocjenom u kojemu se taj potencijal koristi odnosno mo\u017ee<\/p>\n<p>koristiti.<\/p>\n<p>4.2. Financije<\/p>\n<p>4.2.1. Pobolj\u0161ati profil financijskog rizika istra\u017eiva\u010dkih, razvojnih i drugih<\/p>\n<p>projekata u polju Biotehnologija.<\/p>\n<p>4.2.2. Razviti investicijske alate i pristupe koji ubla\u017eavaju rizik ulaganja u<\/p>\n<p>biotehnolo\u0161ke sustave.<\/p>\n<p>4.3. Odr\u017eivost eko-sustava<\/p>\n<p>4.3.1. Postaviti u\u010dinkovitu i robusnu ekolo\u0161ku odr\u017eivost i cirkularnost<\/p>\n<p>biotehnolo\u0161kih sustava kao glavni kriterij.<\/p>\n<p>4.3.2. Inkorporirati ovaj glavni kriterij u biotehnolo\u0161ke sustave.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Biorafinerija<\/p>\n<p>Poseban dio Strategije primijenjene genomike za polje Biotehnologija odnosi se na biorafineriju. Biorafinerija se mo\u017ee definirati kao visokoorganizirana samoodr\u017eiva proizvodna struktura u kojoj se biomasa (sirovina) optimalno koristi u cilju njezina 100%-tnog iskori\u0161tenja i proizvodnje potrebnih i tr\u017ei\u0161no atraktivnih proizvoda (prvenstveno farmaceutika, hrane i dodataka hrani, biokemikalija, biomaterijala\u2026) i energije i to bez \u0161tetnih posljedica po okoli\u0161. Iako se koncept nekoliko biorafinerija provjerava i optimizira u nekoliko \u010dlanica EU-a, nijedna biorafinerija za sada ne funkcionira na podru\u010dju RH. Optimalno funkcioniranje biorafinerije podrazumijeva primjenu robustnih biokatalizatora (stanica, dijelova stanica, organela, molekula, analogona i dr.), a \u0161to prvenstveno uklju\u010duje primjenu metoda geneti\u010dkog in\u017eenjerstva, ali i drugih metoda, alata i podataka, koji se koriste u modernoj biotehnologiji. Nadalje, me\u0111u zemljama \u010dlanicama EU-a, RH pripada skupini \u010dlanica koje su izvrsni dobavlja\u010di biomase (sirovine). Stoga ovom Strategijom valja obuhvatiti i biorafineriju i to kao:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>inovativni koncept biotehnolo\u0161ke industrijske proizvodnje po svim pozitivnim gore pobrojenim na\u010delima s mogu\u0107om lokacijom u RH;<\/li>\n<li>inovativni koncept ulaganja i poslovanja uz integraciju svih dionika u novostvorenim lancima vrijednosti u vezi s biorafinerijom s velikim utjecajem na bioekonomiju RH;<\/li>\n<li>kreiranje novih radnih mjesta;<\/li>\n<li>zasnivanje novih studijskih programa u polju Biotehnologija, kako bi se podr\u017ealo funkcioniranje biorafinerije;<\/li>\n<li>pove\u0107anje istra\u017eiva\u010dkog i inovacijskog kapaciteta u cilju daljnje optimizacije biorafinerije i\/ili njezinih sastavnih (bio)procesa.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Bioinformatika i ra\u010dunalna biologija<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Tehnologija digitalizacije geneti\u010dke informacije \u2013 sekvenciranje nukleinskih kiselina, najbr\u017ee je rastu\u0107a tehnologija u povijesti \u010dovje\u010danstva. U samo pedeset godina od prve identifikacije slijeda DNA pa do danas, mogu\u0107nosti sekvenciranja skratile su postupak \u010ditanja ljudskog genoma s deset godina na svega nekoliko sati, uz istovremeno smanjenje cijene od pet redova veli\u010dine sa stotinu milijuna eura na manje od tisu\u0107u.<\/p>\n<p>Tehnologija sekvenciranja uvelike je promijenila pristup znanstvenom radu u podru\u010dju prirodnih znanosti, biotehnologija i biomedicine, te je utjecala na promjene u dijagnosti\u010dkim i klini\u010dkim postupcima moderne medicine, veterine i agronomije. Neizmjerne koli\u010dine brzo i ekonomski prihvatljivo dostupnih podataka o geneti\u010dkom zapisu brojnih vrsta, ne samo jedinki nego i cijelih populacija, omogu\u0107uju pristup neiscrpnom znanju i dubljem razumijevanju mnogih \u017eivotnih procesa. Time se otvara put ka mnogo u\u010dinkovitijem odgovoru na brojne probleme moderne civilizacije \u2013 odr\u017eivoj hrani i energiji, bioraznolikosti, \u010distom okoli\u0161u, novim materijalima, sigurnosti, a napose i ljudskom zdravlju i dugovje\u010dnosti. Uklju\u010divanjem genomskih podataka u rutinske klini\u010dke postupke mo\u017eemo mnogo bolje razumjeti procese nastanka i tijeka mnogih bolesti, a zatim njima upravljati ili ih sprije\u010diti mnogo br\u017ee, jeftinije i u\u010dinkovitije, koriste\u0107i personalizirani (ciljani) pristup svakom pojedinom pacijentu.<\/p>\n<p>Nu\u017ean uvjet uspje\u0161noj primjeni i kori\u0161tenju genomskih podataka u svim navedenim podru\u010djima su digitalne tehnologije \u2013 razvoj i primjena ra\u010dunalnih metoda i podatkovnih znanosti kroz tehnologije pohrane, analize i prikaza velikih koli\u010dina podataka (engl. <em>big data<\/em>) otvorile su mogu\u0107nost jednostavnog dohvata i upravljanja slo\u017eenim genomskim podatcima i njihovu integraciju i translaciju u biotehnolo\u0161ke, biomedicinske i klini\u010dke procese. Dostupnost genomskih podataka raste eksponencijalno upravo zahvaljuju\u0107i strelovitom napretku tehnologije sekvenciranja, uz ujedno i drasti\u010dan pad cijene takvih postupaka. Stoga se usko grlo iskoristivosti genomike pomi\u010de od prikupljanja podataka ka njihovoj analizi i tuma\u010denju u relevantnom kontekstu primjene, za \u0161to su od kriti\u010dnog zna\u010denja upravo novonastale znanstvene discipline kao ra\u010dunalna biologija, bioinformatika i podatkovne znanosti.<\/p>\n<p>Uz potporu adekvatne ra\u010dunalne infrastrukture, ljudskih resursa i potencijala, u suradnji sa svim dionicima od europskih i nacionalnih zakonodavaca, preko ciljanih skupina profesionalnih djelatnika i njihovih institucija, do krajnjih korisnika, strate\u0161ki cilj ra\u010dunalne biologije i bioinformatike u RH je:<\/p>\n<p>Razvoj nacionalne ra\u010dunalne infrastrukture &#8211; sredi\u0161ta za prihvat, pohranu i obradu genomskih podataka, po uzoru na brojna nacionalna sredi\u0161ta i inicijative diljem Europe i \u0161ire. Objedinjena nacionalna infrastruktura za prihvat i obradu genomskih podataka bi za cilj ujedno imala i okrupnjavanje ljudskog potencijala, djelovanje u svojstvu podr\u0161ke dionicima u prikupljanju i analizi genomskih podataka (po uzoru na Europsku inicijativu Genome Data Infrastructure), ali i kao znanstveno-nastavna baza koja bi okupljala kriti\u010dnu masu stru\u010dnjaka u podru\u010dju ra\u010dunalne biologije, podatkovnih znanosti i srodnih disciplina. Nacionalno sredi\u0161ta bi omogu\u0107ilo puno vi\u0161i stupanj sinergije i suradnje unutar nacionalnog istra\u017eiva\u010dkog prostora, pru\u017eaju\u0107i razmjerno ve\u0107i, multiplikativni u\u010dinak racionalnije ulo\u017eenih financijskih sredstava za ljude i ra\u010dunalnu opremu.<\/p>\n<p>Zada\u0107e ovako oblikovanog sredi\u0161ta bile bi sljede\u0107e:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Razvoj cjelokupnijih i bolje definiranih protokola koji omogu\u0107uju vi\u0161e strukturirano i ujedna\u010deno prikupljanje i pohranu geneti\u010dke (i njoj istovrsne) informacije i pripadnih metapodataka, posebice u slu\u010daju ljudskih geneti\u010dkih informacija i medicinski relevantnih i osobnih podataka. Razvoj takvih postupaka omogu\u0107uje bolje objedinjavanje, a samim time i iskoristivost podataka, nastalih iz razli\u010ditih izvora i prikupljenih na razli\u010ditim lokacijama, u razli\u010ditim kontekstima. Posebice je va\u017eno raditi na sistematizaciji klini\u010dkih i fenotipskih informacija i njihovoj sustavnoj integraciji s genomskim podatcima.<\/li>\n<li>Znanstveni rad, poglavito u primjeni novih tehnologija podatkovnih znanosti poput umjetne inteligencije i strojnog u\u010denja (engl. <em>artificial intelligence<\/em> \/ <em>machine learning<\/em>) u podru\u010dju genomike. Ove tehnologije su neophodne u analizi i redukciji velike koli\u010dine genomskih podataka, omogu\u0107uju\u0107i time njihovu jednostavniju i sveobuhvatniju interpretaciju.<\/li>\n<li>Razvoj sustava podr\u0161ke profesionalnim korisnicima (znanstvenicima izvan podru\u010dja ra\u010dunalne biologije, lije\u010dnicima i sli\u010dno) u analizi, tuma\u010denju i prikazu genomskih podataka, te integraciji rezultata u ciljanom kontekstu njihove primjene (dijagnostici, lije\u010denju, biotehnolo\u0161kom postupku, forenzici i sli\u010dno). Razvoj ra\u010dunalnih alata i postupaka dostupnih krajnjim korisnicima kao pomo\u0107 u interpretaciji rezultata analiza genomskih podataka. Razvoj sustava za potporu u odlu\u010divanju (engl. <em>decision support systems<\/em>) temeljenih na genomskim podatcima i njihovoj integraciji s metapodatcima iz pojedinih domena od interesa.<\/li>\n<li>Koordinacija aktivnosti u podru\u010dju genomskih informacija i pripadnih ra\u010dunalnih protokola pohrane, za\u0161tite i analize na nacionalnoj i me\u0111unarodnoj razini. Razvoj i kontinuirano unaprje\u0111ivanje postupaka za\u0161tite osjetljivih genomskih podataka, njihovog sigurnog prijenosa te analize u digitalnom obliku.<\/li>\n<li>Obrazovanje novih generacija stru\u010dnjaka koji premo\u0161\u0107uju prirodoznanstvene, biomedicinske i ra\u010dunalne discipline \u2013 podatkovnih znanstvenika u podru\u010dju genomike, sposobnih ne samo za znanstveni rad, ve\u0107 i za poticanje i o\u017eivljavanje ekosustava malih, biotehnolo\u0161ki orijentiranih tvrtki.<\/li>\n<li>Upravljanje ra\u010dunalnom infrastrukturom za pohranu, dohvat i analizu genomskih podataka.<\/li>\n<li>Komunikacija sa zainteresiranom javno\u0161\u0107u i pribli\u017eavanje slo\u017eenih pojmova iz bioinformatike, ra\u010dunalne biologije i genomike \u0161irem krugu stanovni\u0161tva Republike Hrvatske.<\/li>\n<li>\u010cetvrta industrijska revolucija neizostavno uklju\u010duje biotehnologiju i genomiku koje su od vr\u0161nog interesa u strategijama svih razvijenih svjetskih dr\u017eava. Stoga je krajnje vrijeme da se i Hrvatska okrene u ovome smjeru, kako bi spremna do\u010dekala potrebe za novim znanjima i vje\u0161tinama koji nas u toj revoluciji o\u010dekuju \u2013 bioinformatika i ra\u010dunalna biologija su svakako me\u0111u njima.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Dodatak.\u00a0 Izrada Strategije razvoja primijenjene genomike u Republici Hrvatskoj<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Odbor za primijenjenu genomiku Hrvatske akademije znanosti i umjetnosti (Odbor) izradio je Strategiju razvoja primijenjene genomike u Republici Hrvatskoj (Strategija) temeljem<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>analize postoje\u0107eg stanja primijenjene genomike u R. Hrvatskoj,<\/li>\n<li>prijedlozima radnih skupina za izradu Strategije<\/li>\n<li>raspravama u Odboru za primijenjenu genomiku.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Postupak izrade Strategije<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Odbor je proveo anketu o stanju primijenjen genomike u R. Hrvatskoj kesu rezultati predo\u010deni i raspravljeni na simpoziju i okruglom stolu Primijenjena genomika u Republici Hrvatskoj 2016. godine.<\/li>\n<li>Odbor je 2019. godine pristupio izradi kao dijelu Nacionalne razvojne strategije Republike Hrvatske do 2030.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Strategija je izra\u0111ene temeljem prijedloga radnih skupina i rasprava u Odboru.<\/p>\n<p>Predsjedni\u0161tvo Hrvatske akademije znanosti i umjetnosti na sjednici 29.05.2019. prihvatilo je prijedlog Odbora i predlo\u017eilo Upravlja\u010dkom odboru Nacionalne razvojne strategije Republike Hrvatske do 2030, da se uvrsti primijenjena genomika u odgovaraju\u0107a tematska podru\u010dja Nacionalne razvojne strategije Republike Hrvatske do 2030.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li>Polaze\u0107i od navedenog dokumenta Odbor je nastavio rad na pro\u0161irenoj ina\u010dici Strategije kao posebnom dokumentu koji bi uva\u017eavaju\u0107i najnovija znanstvena dostignu\u0107a ukazao na strategiju razvojna pojedinih domena primijenjen genomike u R. Hrvatskoj.<\/li>\n<li>Odbor je osnovao Uredni\u0161tvu Strategije koje je prijedloge i primjedbe radnih skupina i rasprave u Odboru u uobli\u010dio u tekst Strategije. Strategija je prihva\u0107ena na sjednici Odbora 16. svibnja 2023. i proslije\u0111ena Razredu za prirodne znanosti Hrvatske Akademije znanosti i umjetnosti na daljnji postupak.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Odbor za primijenjenu genomiku Hrvatske akademije znanosti i\u00a0 umjetnosti<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Akademik Stjepan Gamulin, predsjednik<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr. Filip Sedli\u0107 , Medicinski fakultet Sveu\u010dili\u0161ta u Zagrebu, tajnik<\/p>\n<p>Akademik Vladimir Paar<\/p>\n<p>Akademik Nikola Ljube\u0161i\u010d<\/p>\n<p>Akademik Slobodan Vuki\u010devi\u0107<\/p>\n<p>Akademkinja Sibila Jelaska<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr.sc. Nina Canki Klain, Dru\u0161tvo za klini\u010dku genetiku Hrvatske<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr. sc. Vesna Ku\u0161ec, Hrvatsko dru\u0161tvo za laboratorijsku medicinu<\/p>\n<p>Prof.dr.sc.Gordan Lauc, Farmaceutko-biokemijski fakultet, Sveu\u010dili\u0161te u Zagrebu<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr. sc. Alemka Markoti\u0107, Hrvatsko dru\u0161tvo za biosigurnost i bioza\u0161titu)<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr. sc. Dragan Primorac, Hrvatsko dru\u0161tvo za humanu genetiku i Hrvatsko dru\u0161tvo za personaliziranu (preciznu) medicinu<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr. sc. Jadranka Serti\u0107, Medicinski fakultet, Sveu\u010dili\u0161te u Zagrebu i Klini\u010dki bolni\u010dki<\/p>\n<p>centar Zagreb<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr. sc. Anita Slavica, Hrvatsko dru\u0161tvo za biotehnologiju<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr. sc. \u0110ur\u0111ica Ugarkovi\u0107 (\u010dlanica suradnica HAZU)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Uredni\u0161tvo\u00a0 Strategije<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Uvod <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Akademik Stjepan Gamulin, koordinator\u00a0 uredni\u0161tva<\/p>\n<p><strong>Biomedicina<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Prof. dr. sc. Jadranka Serti\u0107<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr. sc. Vesna Ku\u0161ec<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr. sc. Filip Sedli\u0107<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr. sc. Ivo Bari\u0107<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr. sc. Dragan Primorac<\/p>\n<p>Akademik Vladimir Paar<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr. sc. Fran Borove\u010dki<\/p>\n<p><strong>Biosigurnost i bioza\u0161tita<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Prof. dr. sc. Alemka Markoti\u0107<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Doc. dr. sc. Ljiljana \u017dmak<\/p>\n<p>Dr. sc. Ivan-Christian Kurolt<\/p>\n<p><strong>Forenzi\u010dka genomika <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Prof. dr. sc. Dragan Primorac<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Eti\u010dka na\u010dela primijenjene humane genomike<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Prof. dr sc. Lada Zibar <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr sc. Nina Canki-Klain<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr sc. Jadranka Serti\u0107<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr sc. Sun\u010dana Roksandi\u0107<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr sc. Iva Rin\u010di\u0107<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr sc. Hrvoje Juri\u0107<\/p>\n<p><strong>Biotehnologija<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Prof. dr. sc. Anita\u00a0Slavica\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr sc. <strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Ino\u00a0\u010curik,<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr sc. Ivan\u00a0Peji\u0107,<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr sc. Renata\u00a0Tepari\u0107,<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr. sc. Antonio Star\u010devi\u0107<\/p>\n<p>Prof. dr sc. \u0110ur\u0111ica\u00a0Ugarkovi\u0107,<\/p>\n<p>Dr. sc Ines\u00a0Vlahovi\u0107<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bioinformatika i ra\u010dunalna biologija<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Prof. dr. sc. Kristian Vlahovi\u010dek<\/strong><br \/>\nDr. sc. Du\u0161ica Vujaklija<br \/>\nProf. dr. sc. Mile \u0160iki\u0107<br \/>\ndoc. dr. sc. Kre\u0161imir Kri\u017eanovi\u0107<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Radne skupine za izradu Strategije<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Biomedicina<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Jadranka\u00a0Serti\u0107<\/strong><em>, Ivo Bari\u0107,<\/em> Nina\u00a0Bari\u0161i\u0107<strong>, <\/strong>Vili\u00a0Bero\u0161, Fran\u00a0Borove\u010dki, <em>Nada\u00a0Bo\u017eina<\/em>,, Florijana \u00a0Buli\u0107-Jaku\u0161. Nina\u00a0Canki-Klain,\u00a0 <em>Irena\u00a0Drmi\u0107-Hofman<\/em>,<\/p>\n<p>Marija\u00a0Heffer, Vesna\u00a0Ku\u0161ec, Gordan\u00a0Lauc, Sa\u0161ka\u00a0Marczi, Sa\u0161a\u00a0Missoni, Dragan Primorac, Marinka\u00a0Mravak-Stipeti\u0107, Filip\u00a0Sedli\u0107, Marija\u00a0Selak, Nino \u00a0Sin\u010di\u0107<em>, Fedora Stipoljev<\/em>,<\/p>\n<p>\u0110ur\u0111ica\u00a0Ugarkovi\u0107, <em>Tatijana\u00a0Zemunik<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Biotehnologija<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Anita\u00a0Slavica\u00a0 <\/strong>Ino\u00a0\u010curik,\u00a0 Ivan\u00a0Peji\u0107, Renata\u00a0Tepari\u0107, Antonio Star\u010devi\u0107, \u0110ur\u0111ica\u00a0Ugarkovi\u0107, Ines\u00a0Vlahovi\u0107<\/p>\n<p><strong>Forenzika<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Dragan Primorac<\/strong>, Petar Proji\u0107, Vedrana \u0160karo, Damir Marjanovi\u0107, Damir Primorac<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Etika\/pravo\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Lada\u00a0Zibar, <\/strong>Nina\u00a0Canki-Klain, Hrvoje\u00a0Juri\u0107, Ivica \u00a0Kelam, Iva\u00a0Rin\u010di\u0107, Sun\u010dana \u00a0Roksandi\u0107 Vidli\u010dka<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bioinformatika\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Kristian\u00a0Vlahovi\u010dek, <\/strong>Kre\u0161imir\u00a0Kri\u017eanovi\u0107, Mile\u00a0\u0160iki\u0107, Du\u0161ica\u00a0Vujaklija:<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Voditelji <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Prilo\u017eili pismene prijedloge<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Applied Genomics Committee<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Applied Genomics Development Strategy for Croatia<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Introduction<\/p>\n<p>Biomedicine<\/p>\n<p>Biosafety and Bio-protection<\/p>\n<p>Forensic Genomics<\/p>\n<p>Ethical Principles of Applied Human Genomics<\/p>\n<p>Biotechnology<\/p>\n<p>Bioinformatics and Computational Biology<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The exceptionally rapid progress of genomics, knowledge and technology has made genomics widely available and applicable in many domains of human activity. Human genome sequencing, which took 13 years in the human genome project at a cost of more than US $300 million, is feasible today over several days at a cost of less than US $1,000. At the same time, new methods of gene manipulation have been developed, such as gene editing, which will provide unprecedented possibilities for changing the genetic basis of organisms in the near future. Such interventions will provide new opportunities for gene therapy or new biotechnological procedures, but they are also threats that bring uncontrolled or malicious interference with the genomic properties of organisms, from humans to bacteria and viruses. We will thus furthermore be faced with a number of ethical and legal issues related to the application of genomics.<\/p>\n<p>Genomics is the foundation of personalized or precise medicine, which includes designing individual medical care (prevention, diagnosis, treatment) in accordance with precisely defined personal molecular characteristics (genomic and other), behaviour and environmental factors, and personal values. Pharmaceutical industry will increasingly use knowledge of the genomic properties of the disease to design drugs aimed at a defined goal. The Republic of Croatia (RH) is a signatory to the <em>Towards Access to at Least 1 Million Genomes in the European Union by 2022 <\/em>declaration, which obliges it to participate in the collection of genomic data, apply genomics in medical practice and promote the concept of personalized medicine.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to application in clinical medicine, applied genomics will play a role in production processes including biotechnological processes, which will contribute to the efficient use of energy sources, sustainable production development and environmental protection. Likewise, applied genomics is necessary for the development of new biotechnological processes, and for the monitoring and understanding of the occurrence of environmental changes.<\/p>\n<p>For the safety of the country, modern forensic science, biosafety and bio-protection are necessary, in which the application of genomics is indispensable for the identification of persons or biological harmful factors.<\/p>\n<p>The application of genomics generates a huge number of very diverse information (the so-called <em>big data<\/em>) that gain their full meaning when integrated with phenotypic, environmental and other relevant features. For the storage, exchange, analysis and interpretation of such a huge number of complex data, it is necessary to develop bioinformatics platforms that will satisfy the needs of individual domains of applied genomics.<\/p>\n<p>In 2019, the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts initiated the procedure for the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the Elixir Consortium. We expect that next year, Croatia will become a full member of this Consortium, which will enable the storage and exchange of genomic and other bio-scientific data, the use of bioinformatics tools, as well as international cooperation and education. Membership in the Elixir Consortium will be an important step forward in the structure of genomic research, but also an obligation to generate scientific data and participate in their modification and processing. In order for Croatia to keep up to it and to be competitive with other member states, it is necessary to constantly promote excellence in genomic research.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Biomedicine<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The exceptionally rapid development of genomics and genomic technology (e.g., sequencing of new generations, gene editing) enables effective application of genomics in all areas of biomedicine, including all forms of healthcare, prevention, diagnostics and treatment. For instance, we emphasize genomic diagnostics of hereditary diseases, which enables targeted treatment of certain diseases; genomic characterization of tumours, and hence targeted therapy; pharmacogenomics characterization that enables optimal dosing of numerous drugs; determination of genomic markers as risk factors of many chronic non-infectious diseases, which enables the introduction of timely preventive measures; as well as the today unavoidable genomic microbiological diagnostics. Genomic medicine is, due to its diagnostic and predictive power and general applicability, expected to exercise a broad impact on the healthcare system, and hence lead to its transformation.<\/p>\n<p>Applied genomics in biomedicine covers the subfields of genetics, transcriptomics and epigenetics. It deals with the use of information from these fields for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic purposes. The development of applied genomics in biomedicine is essential for the Croatian health, economy and society in general. Key factors for determining the direction of this development will be finding an economically sustainable model; education and retention of experts; interdisciplinary approach; application of new technologies; and integration with scientific activities.<\/p>\n<p>Currently, applied genomics in biomedicine in the Republic of Croatia is limited to several technologically underdeveloped centres. Many aspects of applied genomics depend in part or entirely on the collaboration with foreign centres and laboratories. The Applied Genomics Development Strategy for the field of biomedicine is believed to increase the capacities of the Republic of Croatia in the independent application of various aspects of genomics, all based on clear economic settings.<\/p>\n<p>The progress of applied genomics in biomedicine is closely related to scientific activities in the field of genomics; it often results from scientific activities of the kind. Fostering a stronger integration of applied genomics and genomics in science will result in multiple benefits to these areas. On the one hand, it will facilitate connecting with global centres of excellence through European and multinational scientific projects, which will contribute to the professional advancement of individuals and fostering excellence. Furthermore, the integration of activities in science and in applied genomics will enable rational spending of funds in the procurement and maintenance of expensive equipment, training of experts and monitoring of modern knowledge in this field. This should be achieved by synergic activation of funds from structural funds, scientific foundations, and of other public funds. The structure and functioning of the public system of applied genomics will be finalised after an in-depth analysis of financial sustainability, and in cooperation with national and foreign experts in the field.<\/p>\n<p>One of the main driving forces in the development of applied genomics in biomedicine should be a national centre (institute) for applied genomics, which would operate within an existing institution that has personnel and technological potential, such as a faculty of medicine or a clinical hospital centre, or several such institutions would be integrated. This integrated hub would provide complex diagnostic and consultation services to all health institutions in the Republic of Croatia and beyond. In addition, the centre would educate experts in the field of applied genomics in biomedicine. The centre would also deal with scientific activities, which would ensure both excellence and international recognition of the centre and the Republic of Croatia. The National Centre (Institute) for Applied Genomics would furthermore develop personalised medicine, medical biotechnology and nanotechnology together with other relevant centres. The centre would be a nursery of genomic technology with knowledge transfer necessary for the development of area laboratories that would apply genomic technology within the scope of their routine work. The centre would furthermore house a database of biological samples. A genomic database with appropriate bioinformatics platforms would enable the collection and processing of genomic data, and their international availability (for example through the Elixir Consortium). In addition to the national hub, applied genomics in biomedicine would furthermore be handled by smaller laboratories, which would focus on less complex or specific areas. One of the key problems related to the development of complex technologies, which includes applied genomics in biomedicine, is the lack and outflow of experts. The system of financial remuneration of such experts ought to be changed, as this, combined with favourable conditions for professional advancement, would allow highly educated experts to stay.<\/p>\n<p>\u21e5Dealing with applied genomics in biomedicine is not possible without teamwork and an interdisciplinary approach. Teams should be composed of medical specialists engaged in relevant branches of medicine; specialists and highly educated experts in biomedical technology; bioinformatics scientists; biomedical mathematicians; and technical staff. Legal acts should regulate who is authorised to interpret the results of genomic analyses and the role of individual team members in accordance with best practices in the world and the competencies of individual professions in healthcare. Given the latest results (the first ever published whole genome sequencing), recently published by The Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) Consortium, it is essential to anticipate the technologies and the procedures (long-read sequencing) that will, in addition to euchromatin analysis, simultaneously analyse the part of the genome containing consecutive repetitive portions of the DNA, mainly in the centromere and telomere regions (heterochromatin).<\/p>\n<p>The specific role of bioinformatics scientists and biomedical mathematicians, and experts of similar professions would be in the analysis and handling of big data. Team approach would facilitate the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence, which are expected to significantly improve healthcare. In addition, the centre and the institutions within which applied genomics laboratories in biomedicine would operate should enjoy the support of experts in legal and ethical issues related to applied genomics. It is moreover necessary to develop appropriate laws that would regulate this sensitive area, including the ownership of patient genomic data, the storage of this data, and the handling and access to this data.<\/p>\n<p>Rapid progress of biomedical sciences inevitably includes the necessity of training not only experts of all professions in the sector, but also citizens in general. Planning such training at an early age (secondary and grammar school) inevitably creates favourable conditions for better informing at the general level of the population, informed participation in social activities and public decision-making in this area, as well as fact-based thinking and reasoned acceptance of novelties in healthcare, which are already a part of the current period of personalized medicine.<\/p>\n<p>In the undergraduate and the postgraduate education of professions in biomedicine and computer science, it is necessary to modernize the existing curriculum with new knowledge in the field of applied genomics in biomedicine. These contents ought to be represented in the postgraduate and specialist postgraduate studies, too. It is necessary to envisage that for the needs of our population, these forms of teaching can jointly connect several professions in biomedicine and healthcare in order not only to economize the existing teaching staff, but also to achieve inter-professional communication and cooperation. Education at the graduate and the postgraduate levels ought to be encouraged in terms of student, teacher and experts exchange within the framework of international exchange; this will contribute to the transfer of knowledge, skills, technologies and cooperation. It is vital to stimulate the establishment of national associations of experts in genomics and all interested parties for the sake of lifelong education, development of the expert field, better interconnection among the experts, and efficient linking and cooperation with similar associations in Europe and the world.<\/p>\n<p>The Applied Genomics Development Strategy for the fields of medicine and healthcare is indisputably important, whilst the direct benefit in healthcare, i.e. regular and routine application, is realistic and on occasion swiftly achievable. This applies to all areas of medicine and healthcare, and the Strategy ought to include frameworks that can enable an equal application of these findings in the subject areas in accordance with the existing scientific evidence in medicine. It is of vital importance to establish committees with an advisory role, composed of experts (with documented relevant expertise) from both the Republic of Croatia and Europe at the level of the Ministry of Health and faculties of medicine, in order to provide competent expert opinions when making decisions on the transfer and application of knowledge in this field, with the aim of providing modern and effective healthcare to the population of the Republic of Croatia. This part of the Strategy furthermore includes establishing biomedical databases and patient registries, managing these databases and registries, and the protection thereof.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>National and European Union Regulations Related to Genomics in Biomedicine and Healthcare<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>At the level of the European Union legislation, there are regulations and laws related to genomics, genetic research and diagnostic genetic testing in humans: It is necessary to be familiarised with the legislation of the European Union in this area, and \u2013 in the future \u2013 to harmonise national laws with those valid in the Union. It is necessary for competent legal experts to cooperate, in order to verify and adapt the existing regulations of the European Union in the context of the development of the Strategy for the development of applied genomics in the Republic of Croatia. In addition, it is necessary to familiarise the professions in biomedicine with the content, meaning and application of these EU regulations, in order to timely apply them and to prevent intentional or inadvertent breaches of the rights and the privacy of users and employees in this field. It is important to ensure opportunities to connect with the industry within the existing national and European Union regulations.<\/p>\n<p>The Constitution of the Republic of Croatia enables the provision of health services and the promotion of human health in the field of biomedicine and healthcare. The European Union (EU) has a strategic impact on economic and social stability. The European Union and the world are connecting to digitally transform healthcare by the means of introducing new genomic technologies. Ethical and legal implications, such as the protection of personal data, the security of stored data, and clear rules of ownership of genetic data form an important part of genomics. Integrating genomics into healthcare is a global responsibility.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Linking genomic databases of millions of genomes in the European Union by 2022 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Twenty Member States, including the Republic of Croatia, signed the <em>Towards Access to at Least 1 Million Genomes in the EU by 2022<\/em> declaration. Sequencing a million genomes will allow users to search and access data through an effective data management structure. It will be ensured that researchers, healthcare professionals, professionals providing services in diagnosis and therapy, patient associations, citizens and parliaments in the countries of the European Union benefit from the full potential of genomics for improving personalized medicine and from targeted health interventions leading to better prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of human diseases \u2013 from (rare) monogenic to malignant and infectious diseases. It is a roadmap for sharing strategies, standards and data at the international level, in order to accelerate and embrace change through global learning for the European digital market (learning health system). The contemporary model of online education includes education for competitiveness in the market.<\/p>\n<p>Machine learning and artificial intelligence (ML\/ AI) for the stratification and personalization of clinical entities and precision medicine should be implemented. The priority is given to interdisciplinarity and relevant expertise related to the implementation of valid solutions, in order to facilitate diagnostics and treatment, and to reduce the healthcare costs.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Applied Genomics Act<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The aim is to regulate genetic testing in the legislative framework; to support responsible, equal and safe use of genetic data for the benefit of well-being and health; to establish a national centralized database on genes, exomes and genomes; and to support the use of genetic data for research and health purposes for a harmonised electronic health record for every citizen of the European Union.<\/p>\n<p>(<em>Overview of EU National Legislation on Genomics<\/em>, 2018)<\/p>\n<p>The Strategy supports and promotes an evidence-based health policy design. Direct co-working with policymakers and experts, as well as collaboration with research centres and international organisations in analysing health systems and policy trends, is essential. Liaising with the following institutions: the World Health Organization, the European Commission, the World Bank, national and international centres of excellence, the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the Applied Genomics Committee, and the Government of the Republic of Croatia has been proposed.<\/p>\n<p>A draft national Strategy focusing on policy relevance and implementation of policy options will be forwarded to the Government of the Republic of Croatia. Integrating genomics into the healthcare system comprises multidisciplinary collaboration among the Croatian Academy, the authorities, researchers, specialists in certain areas, the industry, and citizens.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Biosafety and Bio-protection<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The problem of biosafety and bio-protection is extremely complex, and covers an entire spectrum of segments how human health may be endangered \u2013 from climate change and bioterrorism to highly pathogenic microorganisms and numerous other hazardous circumstances. This issue has probably never before been as topical as today, given not only the global threat of terrorism, but also numerous wars and natural disasters, migrations we witness on a daily basis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the recent years, we have been faced with the rapid development of genomics and its entry into wide areas of human activity, including the field of biosafety and bio-protection. Modern applied genomics technologies are important in the swift identification of infectious agents, especially those highly pathogenic, as well as in the detection of the so far unknown, yet genetically altered microorganisms. The value of genomics and its application in the biosafety and bio-protection development strategy are hence of exceptional importance.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Biosafety and Bio-protection during the COVID-19 Pandemic<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>When three years ago, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic began in China, scarcely anyone could have predicted it would last so long, take on such global proportions, and have such grave consequences. Regardless of modern technology and the unprecedented synergy of science, industry and economic support for research and innovation in the development of diagnostics, vaccines and medicines, the world had to face the power of a virus that, despite all the world&#8217;s efforts, has created devastating disruptions not only in healthcare systems, but also in the economic, social and financial spheres.<\/p>\n<p>For almost a whole century, Croatian and world infectology has not faced such greatness as COVID-19 since the cholera pandemic and the Spanish influenza, during which more than 50 million people are assumed to have died. During the 20<sup>th<\/sup> century, probably the greatest similar challenge was the smallpox epidemic, during which the employees of the <em>Dr. Fran Mihaljevi\u0107 <\/em>Clinic for Infectious Diseases were involved in the treatment of patients in Kosovo.<\/p>\n<p>Immediately upon the outburst of the pandemic, a wide-scope education of healthcare professionals commenced. The Croatian Society for Biosafety and Bio-protection of the Croatian Medical Association organized, in cooperation with the <em>Dr. Fran Mihaljevi\u0107 <\/em>Clinic for Infectious Diseases and the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the symposium entitled <em>The New Coronavirus from China: A Biosafety Threat and Challenge for Healthcare Professionals.<\/em> This was the first symposium on this topic that was held in Croatia.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The initial advantage of Croatia in the treatment and care of patients with COVID-19 were undoubtedly clinics and infectious disease departments spread throughout the country. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia appointed the <em>Dr. Fran Mihaljevi\u0107 <\/em>Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Zagreb, being the reference centre for infectious diseases of the Republic of Croatia and the headquarters for the treatment and diagnostics of infectious diseases, immediately at the beginning of the pandemic the central clinical institution for the treatment and care of patients with COVID-19, especially of the most severe ones, who required treatment in intensive care units. Moreover, the development of a PCR diagnostic test at the Clinic about a week after the first test was set up in Germany, and a month before the first case of COVID-19 in the Republic of Croatia occurred contributed exceptionally to the course of the epidemic. Very soon, the Croatian Institute of Public Health got involved in the diagnostics as well, so that the two institutions closely cooperated in the further expansion of diagnostic centres for proving COVID-19 in the Republic of Croatia. The treatment and care of patients in clinics and infectious disease departments has helped to prevent wider spreading of intra-hospital infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 in large clinical centres, and the scenarios we have seen in Italy and other countries around the world. This provided the time needed for additional organization of clinical work and for the procurement of diagnostic and protective equipment. The <em>Dubrava <\/em>Clinical Hospital was, due to the need to expand clinical capacities, organized as a COVID-19 hospital with a high dynamics of patient admission. Very soon, employees of all clinical hospital centres and clinics and hospitals in Croatia were engaged in the cause, gradually organizing isolation departments. For a brief period, patients were briefly moved to the Zagreb Arena, a centre coordinated by the Sisters of Mercy Clinical Hospital. Clinical hospital centres in Zagreb, Split, Rijeka and Osijek provided substantial support in the medical and nursing staff, and the necessary infrastructure in the further spreading of the epidemic. The contribution of Croatian epidemiologists from the Croatian Institute of Public Health and other public health institutes in establishing and monitoring epidemiological measures, monitoring the movement of the disease, organizing vaccinations and numerous other activities, as well as of all other healthcare professionals actively involved in the fight against COVID-19, was immeasurable.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Croatian Society for Biosafety and Bio-protection \u2013 an Important Factor in Creating and Implementing a Biosafety and Bio-protection Strategy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Croatian Society for Biosafety and Bio-protection (HDBIB) of the Croatian Medical Association was founded in 2014. It is a non-profit organization with the principal goal to provide a platform for its membership to consider and address issues related to biosafety and bio-protection at the national and the international levels. In addition to doctors of various professions \u2013 primarily infectologists, microbiologists, epidemiologists and public health experts \u2013 the HDBIB continuously engages in bringing together a multidisciplinary scientific, healthcare and academic community. This includes the pharmaceutical and the biotechnological industries, veterinarians, biologists, forensic scientists, technical experts working on the design of laboratories dealing with dangerous infectious agents, as well as experts in the fields of regulatory and national security affairs, or rather any other related profession aimed at improving national and international biosafety and bio-protection.<\/p>\n<p>The HDBIB pays particular attention to linking different professions based on the principles of the <em>One Health Initiative<\/em>. Since the establishment of the HDBIB, thanks to the membership of their national society in this organisation, the Croatian experts in the field of biosafety and bio-protection can actively participate in the work of the European Biosafety Association (EBSA) and the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA) through international projects, conferences and various forms of international cooperation. In this manner, the Croatian experts can implement the best international practices in the field of biosafety in Croatia. In addition, they can actively contribute to the further development of the best international practices by embedding in them the specifics and the excellence of the Croatian national practice in the fields of biosafety and bio-protection.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Croatia as a NATO Member State and the Biosafety and Bio-protection Strategy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>To improve homeland and national security, and the positioning of the Republic of Croatia as an important NATO partner, it is necessary to develop a biosafety and bio-protection strategy for the purposes of defence against not only intentional or unintentional biological threats in warfare, but also natural biological disasters that may result in epidemics\/pandemics caused by new and old dangerous causes of infectious diseases. The Republic of Croatia has an extremely important geopolitical and strategic position (as the <em>gates of Europe<\/em>), which can significantly affect the defence not only of countries in the region, but also of the whole of Europe, including protection against potential biological threats.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Dr. Fran Mihaljevi\u0107<\/em> Clinic for Infectious Diseases, with its tradition of 130 years of successful treatment and prevention of infectious diseases, is the key institution in the Republic of Croatia, and possibly the leader in the wider area of the Southeast Europe, which at the highest level provides diagnostic and clinical capacities for the care of the army and civilians affected by epidemics of infectious diseases occurring naturally or as a result of military and bioterrorist activities. Collaboration with other health care providers based on their experiences in the COVID-19 pandemic would thereby be valuable. The reconstruction and upgrading of the clinical and diagnostic capacities of the Clinic, which will, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and various EU funds, last for the next few years, is of great interest for the issue of biosafety and bio-protection as well.<\/p>\n<p>The danger posed by chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear (CBRN) weapons presents a major challenge for NATO Members States during operations around the world. The power of such weapons \u2013 biological in particular \u2013 lies in its ability to cause great morbidity among the affected population\/army and a high mortality rate. In such situations, it is of exceptional importance to know and have the capacities and infrastructure ready to respond to the CBRN weapons, both nationally and internationally.<\/p>\n<p>Readiness to plan and act before, during and after an intentional or unintentional incident with biological weapons or pathogens that may be used as biological weapons is therefore extremely important. The awareness of such a potential situation certainly requires capacities and medical C2 architecture (<em>Command and Control<\/em>) in coordination with civilian medical institutions at the national and the international levels. For this purpose, especially when it comes to biological danger and the danger of highly pathogenic and dangerous agents, infrastructure and trained experts, who will be ready to receive, care for and treat patients infected with dangerous, often quarantine pathogens immediately, are of extreme importance. This, of course, includes evacuation plans (<em>MedEvac<\/em>) and the MASCAL (<em>Mass Casualty<\/em>) plan for the ultimate management and treatment of patients infected with dangerous pathogens with isolation measures on the one hand, and measures for the personal protection of personnel in the field, during evacuation and in the reception facility (<em>Collective Protection<\/em> \u2013 COLPRO) on the other hand. Given the possible epidemics of a wider scale, it is often necessary to plan the expansion of capacities in which not only the military, but also the general population and civilians would be taken care of, because most frequently, epidemics themselves begin in general population during biological warfare. Within the planning, education, training and implementation of the necessary infrastructure to respond to the threat posed by infectious pathogens, it is important to establish <em>Rapidly Deployable Outbreak Investigation Teams<\/em> (RDOIT) and a team specializing in intensive treatment of critical patients (<em>Critical Care Air Support Team \u2013 <\/em>CCAST).<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Dr. Fran Mihaljevi\u0107<\/em> Clinic for Infectious Diseases employs most excellent experts, healthcare professionals and scientists, as well as has significant hospital and laboratory infrastructure (including BSL3+ Laboratory with Class 3 <em>Glove box<\/em> microbiology cabinet, Isolation Department). However, in order for the Clinic to fully provide the necessary biosafety capacities in the service of national and homeland safety, and to become a key NATO institution for the reception, treatment and care during a potential threat by biological infectious agents, reconstruction\/upgrade including modern clinical and diagnostic infrastructure, as well as additional and continuous education and training of employees are required.<\/p>\n<p>In this manner, the Clinic for Infectious Diseases could participate in multinational medical support in joint actions of NATO Allies, in terms of joint planning and introduction of measures for the implementation of healthcare and patient care, i.e. the application of adequate clinical practice in case of threat by infectious pathogens within the CBRN danger, and meet the requirements of NATO Role 3 and 4, with expertise and prepared experts for potential action at the Role 2 level.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Basic Settings of the Biosafety and Bio-protection Strategy in the Republic of Croatia <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Today, the Biosafety and Bio-protection Strategy plays a key role in the strategic documents of many countries, state associations, as well as international political, military, scientific, professional and strategic bodies. The basic guidelines for creating the Biosafety and Bio-protection Strategy in the Republic of Croatia are listed below. The foundations this strategy may further be found in the Homeland Security System Act (OG 108\/2017).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Objectives<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Defining, establishing and coordinating a network of institutions important for the defence against bioterrorism and natural biological disasters;<\/li>\n<li>Upgrading infrastructure capacities important for the defence against bioterrorism and natural biological disasters;<\/li>\n<li>Additional and continuous training of personnel \u2013 experts in the field of biosafety and bio-protection;<\/li>\n<li>Defining the sources of funding and sustainability of the established defence system against bioterrorism and natural biological disasters;<\/li>\n<li>Cooperation with relevant international actors in the defence against bioterrorism and natural biological disasters;<\/li>\n<li>Defining the plans and responsibilities in the event of quarantine diseases.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><u>\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n<p><strong>Defining, Establishing and Coordinating a Network of Institutions important for the Defence against Bioterrorism and Natural Biological Disasters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Considering the experience with COVID-19 and previous strategic considerations, the coordination of the network of institutions important for biosafety and bio-protection should include the following institutions:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em> Fran Mihaljevi\u0107<\/em> Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Zagreb;<\/li>\n<li>Croatian Institute of Public Health;<\/li>\n<li><em> Andrija \u0160tampar<\/em> Institute of Public Health and other institutes of public health;<\/li>\n<li>Institute of Immunology, Zagreb;<\/li>\n<li>Clinical hospital centres;<\/li>\n<li>Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagreb;<\/li>\n<li>Veterinary Institute, Zagreb;<\/li>\n<li>Faculty of Forestry, Zagreb;<\/li>\n<li>Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb;<\/li>\n<li>Medical faculties in Croatia;<\/li>\n<li><em>Ru\u0111er Bo\u0161kovi\u0107<\/em> Institute;<\/li>\n<li>Medical Research Institute;<\/li>\n<li>Other healthcare, scientific and academic institutions in the public and private sectors, if needed;<\/li>\n<li>Croatian Army, Croatian Police Force, Civil Protection Service;<\/li>\n<li>Ministry of Health, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Defence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Upgrading Infrastructure Capacities Important for the Defence against Bioterrorism and Natural Biological Disasters<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Analysis of hospital accommodation facilities, including patient isolation units, and defining needs in case of bioterrorist attacks and natural disasters, as well as needs for capacity upgrades;<\/li>\n<li>Analysis of laboratory equipment and need for upgrading and validation, as well as purchase of new equipment (multiplex technology), along with the procurement of accompanying bioinformatics tools.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Further Personnel Training<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Additional and continuous training of existing personnel in the field of the defence against bioterrorism on the principles of forensic microbiology;<\/li>\n<li>Defining the need for additional personnel; employment and training of new personnel in the field of the defence against bioterrorism on the principles of forensic microbiology.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Defining the Sources of Funding and the Sustainability of the System in Place<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Systematic planning of financing and funding by relevant ministries;<\/li>\n<li>Withdrawal of funds from infrastructure funds:\n<ul>\n<li>Equipment renewal<\/li>\n<li>Space erection and restoration<\/li>\n<li>Personnel training;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Withdrawal of funds through projects led by relevant international institutions;<\/li>\n<li>Strategic lobbying through the European Union, the European Defence Agency (EDA) and NATO.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Cooperation with Relevant International Actors<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cooperation with international institutions in the European Union (in particular the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority \u2013 HERA), the region and other parts of the world in the following:\n<ul>\n<li>Joint defining of the risks of bioterrorism and natural biological disasters;<\/li>\n<li>Using the experience, knowledge and infrastructure needed to prevent, detect and combat bioterrorism and natural biological disasters;<\/li>\n<li>Continuous training of our experts in international institutions and international experts in our institutions;<\/li>\n<li>Engagement of our experts in relevant international bodies in combating bioterrorism and natural biological disasters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Forensic Genomics<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Republic of Croatia ought to retain one of the leading positions in the field of forensic genomics; it is therefore necessary that it take active part in the development and application of new technologies of applied genomics in forensic science. We would particularly like to emphasize the development of a number of methods and procedures that should be systematically integrated into the field of forensic genomics:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Next-generation sequencing;<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Mitochondrial DNA techniques (mtDNA techniques) of linear ribbons with the purpose of rapid analysis of informative polymorphisms in the entire mitochondrial genome for the purposes of forensic expertise;<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Forensic phenotyping;<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Determining the age of the biological trace;<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Forensic RNA analyses;<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Forensic plant DNA analyses;<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Forensic animal DNA analyses;<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; New concept of <em>molecular autopsy<\/em>;<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Pharmacogenomics;<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Rapid DNA technologies;<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Rapid detection of microorganisms.<\/p>\n<p>An important task of forensic genomics in the Republic of Croatia is the identification of the victims of the Homeland War, which should be intensively continued until the final resolution of the issue of the persons missing and killed in the Homeland War is reached.<\/p>\n<p>The existing organization of forensic genomics in the Republic of Croatia should be supported and improved in accordance with the development of modern forensic sciences, which implies cooperation between institutions, international cooperation, development of staff and teamwork, and data exchange.<\/p>\n<p>The application of forensic genomics particularly requires the development of ethical principles and an appropriate legal framework.<\/p>\n<p>The aforementioned next-generation sequencing technique has the potential to solve the most problematic tasks in forensic science from the point of view of technical and statistical processing, which is the analysis of mixed traces. On the other hand, although in certain cases the mtDNA sequencing is unavoidable, the development of methods such as mtDNA techniques of linear ribbons can enable rapid analysis of mtDNA of the offender, which would require a much longer period using a standard sequencing procedure.<\/p>\n<p>Modern forensic science has made a huge step forward in forensic phenotyping, which is the process of determining the phenotypic characteristics of an individual based on information written in the human genome. This analysis is of exceptional importance in forensic science and in investigations when a biological trace is found at the scene, and there are no potential perpetrators with whom we could compare the results of the DNA analysis of the disputed trace. Thus, in the recent years, the Snapshot Forensic DNA Phenotyping System has been developed, which, based on the bioinformatics analysis of tens of thousands of genotypes, predicts the phenotype, i.e. the appearance of a person. The system uses the so-called data mining and advanced machine learning algorithms to accurately predict the genetic origin, eye colour, hair, skin, freckles and facial morphology in individuals of different ethnic groups, and even those of mixed origin.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, in order to determine the age of the biological trace, it is necessary to develop and apply appropriate methods (glycan analyses or methylation changes).<\/p>\n<p>Forensic RNA analysis is a new procedure in forensic genetics, necessary for the identification of bodily fluids (blood, menstrual blood, saliva, urine, sweat, ejaculate, vaginal material) due to the fact that the existing methods based on chemical, enzymatic and immune reactions are not specific enough, and thus require the performance of multiple tests that lead to the destruction of a sample that already exists only in a limited (small) amount.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Forensic applications of plant DNA analysis significantly improve forensic botany. Traces of plant origin may serve as forensic evidence. The importance of forensic palynology (pollen identification) and the determination of cannabinoid profiles is increasing due to the specificity and appeal thereof.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, the analysis of the DNA of animal origin enables reliable unequivocal identification of traces of animal origin, such as the hair of a particular animal, which can serve as important forensic evidence.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, the analysis of DNA of animal origin enables reliable unequivocal identification of traces of animal origin, such as the hair of a particular animal, which can be important forensic evidence.<\/p>\n<p>Molecular autopsy is primarily a method of genetic testing performed on tissues taken during autopsy to confirm the association of certain gene mutations associated with, for instance, sudden cardiac death. Pharmacogenomic analysis in forensic science plays a key role in interpreting individual drug responses, including drug toxicity that can have the fatal outcome.<\/p>\n<p>The development of rapid DNA techniques foresees several changes that will completely change the application of forensic DNA techniques. Rapid instruments will ultimately be integrated into police stations to enable the police to rapidly develop searches according to CODIS (Combined Index System) or local databases to correctly identify the offender.<\/p>\n<p>Forensic microbiology plays a key role in the detection of potential biological agents, especially thanks to the use of the PCR procedure, since it gives results fast and with great precision and accuracy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Identification of the Victims of the Homeland War<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>According to the state of records as at 31<sup>st<\/sup> December 2021, 1,454 requests were opened for the search for missing persons in the Homeland War and 398 requests for the search for the remains of fatalities whose place of burial is unknown; in total, this makes 1,852 unsolved cases from the Homeland War period. The Republic of Croatia ought to show unconditional commitment and dedication to solving the issue of persons missing and killed in the Homeland War, whose place of burial is unknown. The operation of the Working Group for the Collection of Information on Missing Persons and Unregistered Graves, which includes representatives of the Ministry of the Interior, security and intelligence agencies, and the State Attorney&#8217;s Office of the Republic of Croatia, should be particularly intensified, as its contribution in the collection, exchange and analysis of relevant knowledge on a daily basis is crucial.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Organization of Forensic Science in the Republic of Croatia<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Successful application of forensic genomics requires interaction among scientific and academic institutions (University Department of Forensic Sciences of the University of Split; professional study of Criminology at the Police Academy; law faculties of the Croatian universities); the Institute of Forensic Medicine of the Ministry of the Interior; the <em>Ivan Vuc\u030cetic\u0301<\/em> Centre for Forensic Expertise and Examination of the Ministry of the Interior; the Ministry of Defence; Security and Intelligence Agencies (SOA, VSOA); the Office of the National Security Council; the Anthropological Research Institute; Genosa Ltd., etc. Cooperation with numerous related foreign institutions \u2013 the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), the International Society of Applied Biological Sciences (ISABS), etc. is necessary in order for the Croatian forensic scientists to become familiarised with the latest developments in the field of forensic genetics, and to present the results of their own work and research.<\/p>\n<p>The training of future staff should aim at training experts for laboratory analysis of biological and chemical traces in order to provide additional information to investigative and judicial bodies, quality control testing, and the application of accreditation standards in forensic laboratories. Apart from this, the training should include the implementation of forensic-biological and forensic-chemical methods in processing biological traces of human, animal and plant origin, as well as chemical traces.<\/p>\n<p>The application of forensic genetics requires teamwork and an interdisciplinary approach. Teams ought to include experts engaged in the fields of molecular biology and medical biochemistry, laboratory medicine specialists, pathology and forensic medicine specialists, specialists and sub-specialists of medical genetics, experts in bioinformatics, etc. Experts in criminal and civil law, criminalists, experts in the field of medical ethics, etc. deserve a special place in the development of modern forensic genetics.<\/p>\n<p>Successful application of forensic genomics requires data exchange among countries. Combating international crime, human trafficking, bioterrorism, etc. cannot be successfully conducted without data exchange.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ethical Issues in Forensic Genomics<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The essential ethical issues of forensic genetics include fairness, privacy, confidentiality, informed consent, benevolence, and utility. On the other hand, in the sequence of procedures in forensic genetics, it is exceptionally important to monitor the traceability of the sample; special emphasis is hence placed not only on collecting samples from the scene and sampling with consent, but also on obtaining DNA samples from medical sources or researchers. It is particularly interesting to obtain DNA samples from medical sources or researchers, where ethical issues arise from the possibility of using genetic information, or samples collected for medical and other purposes for criminal investigation. On the other hand, modern forensic genetics still needs to find answers to the following questions:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Which criminal offences should activate the search of DNA databases?<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; At what point should samples be collected (after indictment, after detention or at birth, in order to establish a broad preventive population database)?<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Which loci in the genome should be analysed to generate the genetic profiles necessary for forensic processing?<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Who should gain access to DNA samples and profiles and for what purposes?<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; How long should DNA profiles and samples be kept in the DNA database?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Ethical Principles of Applied Human Genomics<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The objective of this document is to define the ethical principles of applied genomics in Croatia.<\/p>\n<p>The reason for drafting these principles lies in the development of genomics, which belongs to into the area of new challenges and uncertainty. The collection of whole-genome data for the population provides an enormous amount of data, which facilitate better specification of phenotypic-genotypic relationships. Such and other findings in the field of genomics may additionally affect health planning, reproductive decisions, family-related and other social relationships, gene manipulation, and the change in drawing a line between health and disease.<\/p>\n<p>The purpose of ethical principles is providing written ground rules for action in the field of applied genomics. The principles ought to prevent the misuse of data and of samples for genetic tests, as well as other treatment in the field of genomics that can have negative consequences and lead to the stigmatisation of persons based on genetic characteristics. Gender-sensitive words and concepts refer equally to the masculine and the feminine genders.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The past, the present and the future of the human genome are &#8220;inscribed&#8221; therein. A genetic characteristic, disease or disorder differs from the others due to the possibility of recurrence of the disease in the next of kin, specific psychological problems, as well as social implications and legal problems. The human genome is referred to as the legacy of the humanity. Possible effects on the offspring caused by gene changes may be uncertain. The use of animal material in human genomics interferes with various human characteristics, including the identity of belonging to the human species. The development of civilization, in addition to the future of man, bears responsibility for other living beings and the environment.<\/p>\n<p>In applied human genomics, the relevant legal framework ought to be respected: the Council of Europe Convention of Oviedo with its Protocols, the UNESCO Declaration (https:\/\/en.unesco.org\/themes\/ethics-science-and-technology\/human-genome-and-human-rights as well as https:\/\/unesdoc.unesco.org\/ark:\/48223\/pf0000146180), the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO Expert Advisory Committee on Developing Global Standards for Governance and Oversight of Human Genome Editing), and positive national legal regulations.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Principles <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Scientists, clinicians and other practitioners in the field of applied genomics are obliged to respect humanistic moral principles. These principles lie beyond scientific and technological capabilities and reach.<\/p>\n<p>The ethical principles of applied genomics are based on the general principles of humanity, freedom and autonomy of the individual in decision-making, equality, solidarity, social justice, the right to privacy, responsibility, security, knowledge, the right to information, and general respect for human rights. Procedures in the field of applied genomics ought to be accessible to everyone.<\/p>\n<p>Actions in applied genomics ought to protect the human life, health and dignity, as well as other living beings, the environment and biodiversity.<\/p>\n<p>Procedures in genomics ought to be justified by knowledge, and may be carried out only for medical or scientific purposes, with due caution in new and unfamiliar situations.<\/p>\n<p>If doubts that a particular procedure will have negative effects cannot be eliminated, such a procedure should not be conducted. Gene editing is for now considered not ethically acceptable.<\/p>\n<p>Applied genomics is an area of a person&#8217;s privacy; general benefit or the benefit of another person can only exceptionally take precedence over a person&#8217;s privacy.<\/p>\n<p>Written informed consent of the person over whom procedures in genomics are conducted is required. The results of genetic tests and other procedures in the field of genomics, along with the meaning thereof, ought to be adequately explained to the person in question. The person is entitled to refuse being informed of such results. The person should be offered an explanation regarding possible risks to their family members with regard to the results of a genetic test or another procedure in the field of genomics.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, the person and their family ought not to be discriminated or stigmatised based on the results of genetic testing.<\/p>\n<p>The data obtained by the procedures in genomics are confidential, and ought not to be disclosed to other persons without the written consent of either the person to whom they relate or their legal representative. Such information are the property of the person to whom they relate, and may be used for medical, legal, research or other purposes only with the owner&#8217;s written consent. The confidentiality of the data and the need to obtain the consent of the owner to share them extends to all systems in which they are transmitted or stored, and are binding even after the owner&#8217;s death. Exceptionally, in case relatives presumed to share a genetic record with the person whose genetic data are concerned might thereby be endangered, such data may be disclosed to those relatives without the consent of the subject person.<\/p>\n<p>Human genome modification procedures may only be conducted for preventive and therapeutic purposes, and in such a way that the genes so altered are not passed on to the offspring.<\/p>\n<p>Cloning or creating genetically identical humans is considered not ethically acceptable, and neither is creating beings from different types of living creatures that include parts of human genes.<\/p>\n<p>Animals, plants and other environments ought to be respected in genomic procedures. Procedures on animals ought to comply with the principle of least suffering, and should aim at alternative procedures and those conducted on as few animals as possible. If there is an impact of procedures in genomics on plants and other environment, it should be assessed, and procedures should be adjusted in accordance with the principle of least damage.<\/p>\n<p>Only trained and certified experts in laboratories and institutions accredited for this purpose may conduct procedures in the field of genomics.<\/p>\n<p>It is justified to keep a registry of genomics data and engage in global information sharing. Croatia may participate in international projects in the field of genomics provided it respects to the above principles.<\/p>\n<p>Anyone who should suspect a violation of ethical principles in applied genomics should report the information to the competent authorities.<\/p>\n<p>Ethical principles should be included in educational curricula and communicated to the public. Permanent broad-scaled public debate thereon should be encouraged.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Biotechnology<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As an introduction to the Applied Genomics Development Strategy for the area of biotechnical sciences, field of biotechnology, the shorter version (here below) of the definition of the term biotechnology is given. The wider definition thereof may be found on the website of<em> Hrvatska enciklopedija \/ Croatian Encyclopaedia<\/em> (the citation follows).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Definition<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Biotechnology is the science of biological processes applied to the production and conversion of substances through the mediation of biocatalysts, i.e. enzymes (enzymatic technology), microorganisms, especially bacteria and yeasts (microbial technology), and animal and plant cells. Genetic engineering methods transfer information molecules from the cells of higher organisms into suitable microorganisms, which, thus transformed, enable the industrial production of human proteins, hormones and other biologically active compounds. In 1989, the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB) recommended the following definition: &#8216;The integration of natural science and organisms, cells, parts thereof, and molecular analogues for products and services&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Citation: biotechnology. Hrvatska enciklopedija \/<\/em> <em>Croatian Encyclopaedia, online edition.<\/em> Leksikografski zavod Miroslav Krle\u017ea, 2021. Accessed on 28 February 2023. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.enciklopedija.hr\/Natuknica.aspx?ID=7808\">http:\/\/www.enciklopedija.hr\/Natuknica.aspx?ID=7808<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Parties involved <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Applied Genomics Development Strategy for the area of biotechnical sciences, field of biotechnology, rests on the needs and priorities in the Republic of Croatia and the European Union. It includes challenges relating to climate change (e.g. droughts and floods), health (e.g. the COVID-19 pandemic), and geopolitical events (e.g. supply chain disruptions and other crises).<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, the Strategy would involve all the parties \u2013 mainly at the national level, but also from the European Union \u2013 who would participate in the debate and define the needs and priorities, primarily for applied genomics in the field of biotechnology, but also in other areas and fields where biotechnology is propulsively integrated. Thus, this starting document, which would be renewed and adapted in accordance with the requirements with the emphasis on the sustainability thereof, would be drafted.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Principles and Legislation <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Applied Genomics Development Strategy for the field of biotechnology primarily follows ethical principles (chapter: Ethical principles in biomedical genomics), and, in addition, other legislation, such as the priorities of the European Commission (<a href=\"https:\/\/commission.europa.eu\/system\/files\/2020-04\/political-guidelines-next-commission_hr.pdf\">https:\/\/commission.europa.eu\/system\/files\/2020-04\/political-guidelines-next-commission_hr.pdf<\/a>): (1) The European Green Deal; (2) A Europe Fit for the Digital Age; (3) An Economy in the Interest of Citizens; (4) A stronger Europe in the world; (5) Promoting a European Way of Life; (6) A new Impetus for European Democracy and the Bioeconomy Strategy of the Republic of Croatia (this Strategy should be available in May 2023). The Applied Genomics Strategy for the field of biotechnology respects all relevant legal determinants, such as the Act on Genetically Modified Organisms (OG 126\/19).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Thematic areas<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Applied Genomics Development Strategy for the field of biotechnology covers the following seven (7) thematic areas: (1) agroecology; (2) food production and supply systems; (3) forest value-added chains; (4) management of freshwater and marine coastal resources; (5) bioenergetics; (6) advanced biochemicals, pharmaceuticals and biomaterials; (7) biotechnology education.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Applied Genomics Development Strategy for the field of biotechnology defines seven principal challenges: 1. Improvement of infrastructure in research and innovation, application of research and innovation results in biotechnological production, and closer cooperation between academia and manufacturers of biotechnological products and services. 2. Increasing the utilization of biomass and entire value-added chains by applying not only innovative technologies and other solutions, but also investment and business models, with the emphasis on the establishment and development of small- and medium-sized biotechnology companies. 3. Reorganization of the multidisciplinary concept of bioeconomy in terms of the integration of sector-oriented policies. As bioeconomy combines agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food production, energy and all so-called bio-based products, the integration of all policies related to these sectors, which is in line with the European Union Bioeconomy Strategy (<a href=\"https:\/\/research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu\/research-area\/environment\/bioeconomy\/bioeconomy-strategy_en\">https:\/\/research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu\/research-area\/environment\/bioeconomy\/bioeconomy-strategy_en<\/a>), is assumed. 4. Increasing the visibility and involvement of all the parties involved: primary producers and the manufacturing industry, the so-called brand owners, consumers, small- and medium-sized enterprises, research and technology centres and universities, and in particular the civil society, in the drafting and the implementation of the Applied Genomics Development Strategy in the field of biotechnology. 5. Availability of funding sources and the establishment of a combined private and public partnership for research and development in the propulsive field of biotechnology. 6. Reorganization of the education system, with the emphasis on the selection of gifted individuals and the engagement of teachers in order to reduce the volume (quantity) of classical forms of teaching and increase the representation of the project approach to teaching; as well as the introduction of continuous (lifelong) learning. 7. Depoliticisation of the concept of bioeconomy and defining real problems and challenges; independence of prominent and proven experts for their action outside the scope of the defined policies.<\/p>\n<p>These seven main challenges relate in particular to the production and export of targeted biotechnological products (food, beverages and pharmaceuticals), as determined for the Republic of Croatia during 2014 (Peru\u0161ko et al., 2018).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Objectives <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The objective of the Applied Genomics Development Strategy for the field of biotechnology is to improve competitive bioeconomy in terms of creating a sustainable quality of life in the future while respecting the principles of circularity, sustainability and planetary boundaries. Therefore, the main objectives of this Biotechnology Strategy are as follows:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Accelerate innovation and development, as well as the implementation of innovative solutions;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>I.1. Broaden the scope of interdisciplinary research and innovation activities; develop and demonstrate sustainable solutions based on the principles of biotechnology;<\/p>\n<p>I.2. Increase and integrate research and innovation capacities, especially in under-represented environments;<\/p>\n<p>I.3. Increase research and innovation capacities in addition to the development of sustainable innovations in the field of biotechnology while ensuring sustainability and environmental protection throughout the innovation chain;<\/p>\n<p>I.4. Increase research and innovation capacities in addition to the development of sustainable innovations in the field of biotechnology by using the latest achievements in the field of artificial intelligence (AI);<\/p>\n<p>I.5. Position biotechnology as a key field of bioeconomy of the Republic of Croatia, essentially needed for economic development and for active management of the advantages of the Republic of Croatia in terms of competition (arable and marginal land; freshwater, marine and coastal resources; forest biomass) prioritise any future investment in the development of scientific infrastructure accordingly;<\/p>\n<p>I.6. Define centres of development, research and innovation activities on the basis of precise performance indicators (number and quality of publications, projects, doctoral students, etc.); accordingly, allocate future funds for investment in infrastructure to the most successful in the field of biotechnology; encourage the expansion of the most successful centres into under-represented environments with incentive measures, without opening new centres in environments with no sustainable human potential;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Inform all the parties involved, especially the end consumers, thus creating a market for biotechnological products and services;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>II.1. Strengthen the integration of biotechnological research and innovation in the bio-based industry in the Republic of Croatia and the European Union and increase the involvement of research and innovation participants, as well as raw material suppliers; provide technical (legal) and financial assistance to institutions investing in the protection of intellectual property, and financially stimulate individuals \u2013 authors of innovation;<\/p>\n<p>II.2. Reduce the risk of investments in research and innovation within projects and biotechnology companies; significantly reduce or completely eliminate the VAT rate on investments in research and development; stimulate private companies from the biotechnology sector to donate funds and equipment to academic institutions that educate experts needed for the functioning of these companies, and define tax deductions for these companies; enable donations in technical equipment without taxation of donors;<\/p>\n<p>III. Ensure the protection and preservation of the environment and biodiversity, especially in major production systems;<\/p>\n<p>III.1. Ensure circularity in the development and implementation of biotechnological production processes and the provision of services, taking into account environmental protection, including contributions to climate change and climate neutrality, as well as zero pollution and social acceptance;<\/p>\n<p>Introduce the so-called environmental measures in the formation of VAT rates for companies, enabling thereby the reduction of taxes for companies engaged in primary production and investing in waste disposal, reduction of CO<sub>2<\/sub> emission, etc.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Priorities<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The priorities of the Applied Genomics Development Strategy for the area of biotechnical sciences, field of biotechnology, may be divided into four (4) categories: 1. raw materials; 2. production; 3. products and services; and 4. communication, financing and sustainability of ecosystems. The content of the listed priorities is given below:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Raw materials<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>1.1. Ensure sustainable availability and quality of raw materials for biotechnological industrial production;<\/p>\n<p>1.2. Protect and improve biodiversity and ecosystems in the raw material supply chain;<\/p>\n<p>1.3. Involve experts from academic institutions and research institutes in continuous key activities aimed at protecting and improving biodiversity and ecosystems in the raw material supply chain (working groups for the development of strategies, legal frameworks, studies, etc.);<\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li>Production<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>2.1. Develop innovative processes, technologies and bioprocesses for the production of biotechnological products and services;<\/p>\n<p>2.2. Improve the impact of biotechnological production systems on the environment; 3. Products and services<\/p>\n<p>3.1. Design, develop and produce innovative biotechnological products and services;<\/p>\n<p>3.2. Increase the benchmark of production, market acceptance and demand for innovative biotechnological products and services;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li>Communication, financing and sustainability of ecosystems<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>4.1. Communication;<\/p>\n<p>4.1.1. Encourage research activities in areas with underdeveloped capacities for research and innovation in the field of biotechnology on the basis of a previously developed priority plan, which contains a map of the Republic of Croatia with the indicated biotechnological potential of all regions and an assessment as to where (in which region) this potential is or can be used;<\/p>\n<p>4.2. Financing;<\/p>\n<p>4.2.1. Improve the financial risk profile of research, development and other \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 projects in the field of biotechnology;<\/p>\n<p>4.2.2. Develop investment tools and approaches that mitigate the risk of investment in biotechnological systems;<\/p>\n<p>4.3. Sustainability of ecosystems<\/p>\n<p>4.3.1. Establish effective and robust ecological sustainability and circularity of \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 biotechnological systems as a principal criterion;<\/p>\n<p>4.3.2. Incorporate this principal criterion in biotechnological systems.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bio-refinery<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A special part of the Applied Genomics Development Strategy for the field of biotechnology refers to bio-refinery. Bio-refinery can be defined as a highly organized self-sustainable production structure, in which biomass (raw material) is optimally used for its 100% utilization and the production of necessary and commercially attractive products (primarily pharmaceuticals, food and food additives, biochemicals, biomaterials, etc.) and energy, with no harmful consequences for the environment. Although the concept of several bio-refineries is being tested and optimized in several Member States of the European Union, no bio-refinery currently operates in the territory of the Republic of Croatia. The optimal functioning of the bio-refinery implies the application of robust biocatalysts (cells, cell parts, organelles, molecules, analogues, etc.), which primarily includes the application of genetic engineering methods, as well as other methods, tools and data used in modern biotechnology. Furthermore, among the Member States of the European Union, the Republic of Croatia belongs to a group formed of excellent suppliers of biomass (raw materials). Therefore, this Strategy should also cover bio-refinery, as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An innovative concept of biotechnological industrial production according to all the positive principles listed above, with a possible location in the Republic of Croatia;<\/li>\n<li>An innovative concept of investment and business with the integration of all parties involved in the newly-created value chains related to bio-refinery, with major impact on the bioeconomy of the Republic of Croatia;<\/li>\n<li>Opening new jobs;<\/li>\n<li>Establishing new study programs in the field of biotechnology in order to support the functioning of bio-refinery;<\/li>\n<li>Increase research and innovation capacities in order to further optimise bio-refinery and\/or its constituent (bio)-processes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Bioinformatics and Computational Biology<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The technology of digitizing genetic information \u2013 sequencing of nucleic acids \u2013 is the fastest growing technology in the history of humanity. Over no more than five decades since the first identification of the DNA sequence, sequencing capabilities have shortened the process of reading the human genome from ten years to merely several hours, whereby the cost was reduced as well \u2013 from one hundred million euros to less than a thousand euros.<\/p>\n<p>Sequencing technology has significantly altered the approach to scientific work in the field of natural sciences, biotechnologies and biomedicine, and has triggered changes in diagnostic and clinical procedures of modern medicine, veterinary medicine and agronomy. Immeasurable amounts of quickly and economically acceptably available data on the genetic record of numerous species \u2013 not only individuals, but also entire populations \u2013 provide access to inexhaustible knowledge and a deeper understanding of many life processes. This paves the way for a much more effective response to numerous problems of modern civilization \u2013 sustainable food and energy, biodiversity, clean environment, new materials, security, and especially human health and longevity. By including genomic data in routine clinical procedures, the processes of the origin and course of many diseases become a lot more understandable, and hence much faster, cheaper and more efficiently manageable or preventable by using a personalized (targeted) approach to every individual patient.<\/p>\n<p>A necessary condition for the successful application and use of genomic data in all the above mentioned areas are digital technologies \u2013 the development and application of computer methods and data sciences through big data storage, analyses and display of big data have opened up the possibility of easy retrieval and management of complex genomic data, as well as their integration and translation into biotechnological, biomedical and clinical processes. The availability of genomic data is growing exponentially thanks to the rapid advancement of the sequencing technology, accompanied by the plummeting of the price of such procedures. The bottleneck of the usability of genomics is hence shifting from data collection towards the analysis and interpretation thereof in the relevant context of application, for which the newly emerging scientific disciplines, such as computational biology, bioinformatics and data sciences, are of critical importance.<\/p>\n<p>With the support of adequate computer infrastructure, human resources and potentials, in cooperation with all the parties involved \u2013 from the European and national legislators and targeted groups of professionals and their institutions to end-users \u2013 the strategic objective of computational biology and bioinformatics in the Republic of Croatia is the following: the development of national computer infrastructure \u2013 a centre for the reception, storage and processing of genomic data modelled after numerous national centres and initiatives throughout Europe and beyond. Unified national infrastructure for the reception and processing of genomic data would also aim at consolidating human potential, acting in the capacity of supporting the parties involved in collecting and analysing genomic data (following the example of the European initiative entitled<em> Genome Data Infrastructure<\/em>), as well as a scientific-teaching base that would bring together a critical mass of experts in the field of computational biology, data sciences and related disciplines. A national hub would allow for a much higher degree of synergy and collaboration within the national research area by providing a proportionately larger, multiplier effect of more rationally invested funding for people and computing equipment.<\/p>\n<p>The tasks of the centre thus formed would be as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Development of more complete and better defined protocols that enable more structured and uniform collection and storage of genetic (and equivalent) information and associated metadata, especially in the case of human genetic information, medically relevant and personal data. The development of such procedures enables better integration, and thus the usability of data generated from different sources and collected on different locations in different contexts. It is particularly important to work on the systematisation of clinical and phenotypic information, as well as on their systematic integration with genomic data.<\/li>\n<li>Scientific work, especially in the application of new data science technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, in the field of genomics. These technologies are necessary in the analysis and reduction of large amounts of genomic data, as they enable their simpler and more comprehensive interpretation.<\/li>\n<li>Development of a support system for professional users (scientists outside the field of computational biology, doctors, etc.) in analysing, interpreting and presenting genomic data, and in integrating results in the targeted context of their application (diagnostics, treatment, biotechnological procedure, forensic science, etc.). Development of computer tools and procedures available to end-users as assistance in the interpretation of genomic data analysis results. Development of decision support systems based on genomic data and their integration with metadata from individual domains of interest.<\/li>\n<li>Coordination of activities in the field of genomic information and related computer storage, protection and analysis protocols at the national and the international levels. Development and continuous improvement of procedures for the protection of sensitive genomic data, their secure transmission and analysis in digital form.<\/li>\n<li>Education of new generations of experts who bridge natural science, biomedical and computer disciplines \u2013 data scientists in the field of genomics, capable not only of scientific work, but also of stimulating and reviving the ecosystems of small-sized, biotechnology-oriented companies.<\/li>\n<li>Management of computer infrastructure for the storage, retrieval and analysis of genomic data.<\/li>\n<li>Communication with the interested public and the approximation of complex concepts in bioinformatics, computational biology and genomics to a wider circle of the population of the Republic of Croatia.<\/li>\n<li>The fourth industrial revolution inevitably includes biotechnology and genomics, which are of highest-level interest in the strategies of all developed world countries. It is hence high time Croatia turned in this direction in order to be prepared to meet the needs for acquiring new knowledge and skills that await us in this revolution \u2013 bioinformatics and computational biology certainly among them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Annex. D<\/strong><strong>rafting of the Applied Genomics Development Strategy for the Republic of Croatia <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Applied Genomics Committee of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (the Committee) has drafted the Applied Genomics Development Strategy for the Republic of Croatia (the Strategy) based on the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Analysis of the present state of applied genomics in the Republic of Croatia;<\/li>\n<li>Proposals by the working groups for the drafting of the Strategy;<\/li>\n<li>Discussions held by the Applied Genomics Committee.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Strategy Development Process<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>In 2016, the Committee conducted a survey on the state of applied genomics in the Republic of Croatia and the results were presented and discussed at the symposium and round table entitled <em>Applied Genomics in the Republic of Croatia<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li>In 2019, the Committee commenced with the drafting of the Strategy as part of the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia until 2030.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The strategy was developed based on the proposals of the working groups and the discussions held by the Committee.<\/p>\n<p>In its session held on 29 May 2019, the Presidency of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts accepted the proposal of the Committee, and proposed to the Steering Committee of the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia until 2030 to include applied genomics in the relevant thematic areas of the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia until 2030.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li>Starting from the aforementioned document, the Committee continued working on an extended version of the Strategy as a separate document that, taking into account the latest scientific achievements, would indicate the strategy for the development of individual domains of applied genomics in the Republic of Croatia.<\/li>\n<li>The Committee established the Strategy Editorial Board, which formulated the proposals and observations of the working groups and the discussions held by the Committee into the text of the Strategy. The strategy was adopted at the Committee meeting on 16 May 2023 and forwarded to the Department of Natural Sciences of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts for further procedure.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Applied Genomics Committee of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Stjepan Gamulin, F.C.A., Chair<\/p>\n<p>Prof. Dr. Filip Sedli\u0107, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb; Secretary<\/p>\n<p>Vladimir Paar, F.C.A.<\/p>\n<p>Nikola Ljube\u0161i\u0107, F.C.A.<\/p>\n<p>Slobodan Vuki\u010devi\u0107, F.C.A.<\/p>\n<p>Sibila Jelaska, F.C.A.<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Nina Canki-Klain, Croatian Clinical Genetics Society<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Vesna Ku\u0161ec, Croatian Laboratory Medicine Society<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Gordan Lauc, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Alemka Markoti\u0107, Croatian Biosafety and Bio-protection Society<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Dragan Primorac, Croatian Human Genetics Society and Croatian Personalised Medicine Society<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Jadranka Serti\u0107, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb and Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Anita Slavica, Croatian Biotechnology Society<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc \u0110ur\u0111ica Ugarkovi\u0107, Associate Member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Strategy Editorial Board<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Introduction<\/p>\n<p>Stjepan Gamulin, F.C.A., Coordinator of the Editorial Board<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Biomedicine<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prof. DSc Jadranka Serti\u0107<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Vesna Ku\u0161ec<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Filip Sedli\u0107<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Ivo Bari\u0107<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Dragan Primorac<\/p>\n<p>Vladimir Paar, F.C.A.<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Fran Borove\u010dki<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Biosafety and Bio-protection<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prof. DSc Alemka Markoti\u0107<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>DSc Ljiljana \u017dmak<\/p>\n<p>DSc Ivan-Christian Kurolt<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Forensic Genomics<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prof. <\/strong><strong>DSc Dragan Primorac<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Ethical Principles of Applied Human Genomics<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prof. DSC Lada Zibar <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Nina Canki-Klain<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Jadranka Serti\u0107<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Sun\u010dana Roksandi\u0107<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Iva Rin\u010di\u0107<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Hrvoje Juri\u0107<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Biotechnology<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prof. DSc Anita\u00a0Slavica\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Prof.\u00a0 DSc Ino\u00a0\u010curik,<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Ivan\u00a0Peji\u0107,<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Renata\u00a0Tepari\u0107,<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Antonio Star\u010devi\u0107<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc \u0110ur\u0111ica\u00a0Ugarkovi\u0107,<\/p>\n<p>DSc Ines\u00a0Vlahovi\u0107<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Bioinformatics and Computational Biology<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prof. DSc Kristian Vlahovi\u010dek<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>DSc Du\u0161ica Vujaklija<\/p>\n<p>Prof. DSc Mile \u0160iki\u0107<\/p>\n<p>DSc Kre\u0161imir Kri\u017eanovi\u0107<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Strategy Drafting Working Groups<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Biomedicine<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jadranka Serti\u0107<\/strong><em>, Ivo Bari\u0107,<\/em> Nina Bari\u0161i\u0107, Vili Bero\u0161, Fran Borove\u010dki, <em>Nada Bo\u017eina<\/em>, Florijana Buli\u0107-Jaku\u0161, Nina Canki-Klain, Irena Drmi\u0107-Hofman, Marija Heffer, Vesna Ku\u0161ec, Gordan Lauc, Sa\u0161ka Marczi, Sa\u0161a Missoni, Dragan Primorac, Marinka Mravak-Stipeti\u0107, Filip Sedli\u0107, Marija Selak, Nino Sin\u010di\u0107<em>, Fedora Stipoljev<\/em>, \u0110ur\u0111ica Ugarkovi\u0107, Tatijana Zemunik<\/p>\n<p>Biotechnology<\/p>\n<p><strong>Anita Slavica<\/strong>, Ino \u010curik, Ivan Peji\u0107, Renata Tepari\u0107, \u0110ur\u0111ica Ugarkovi\u0107, Ines Vlahovi\u0107<\/p>\n<p>Forensic Science<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dragan Primorac,<\/strong> Petar Proji\u0107, Vedrana \u0160karo, Damir Marjanovi\u0107, Damir Primorac\u00a0Ethics \/ Law<\/p>\n<p><strong>Lada Zibar<\/strong>, Nina Canki-Klain, Hrvoje Juri\u0107, Ivica Kelam, Iva Rin\u010di\u0107, Sun\u010dana Roksandi\u0107<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Bioinformatics<\/p>\n<p><strong>Kristian Vlahovi\u010dek<\/strong>, Kre\u0161imir Kri\u017eanovi\u0107, Mile \u0160iki\u0107, Du\u0161ica Vujaklija<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Leaders<\/p>\n<p><em>Written proposals submitted<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Predsjedni\u0161tvo Hrvatske akademije znanosti i umjetnosti prihvatilo je 5. srpnja 2023. Strategiju razvoja primijenjene genomike u Hrvatskoj koju je donio Odbor za primijenjenu genomiku HAZU.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":34301,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[74],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.info.hazu.hr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34300"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.info.hazu.hr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.info.hazu.hr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.info.hazu.hr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.info.hazu.hr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34300"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.info.hazu.hr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34300\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39680,"href":"https:\/\/www.info.hazu.hr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34300\/revisions\/39680"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.info.hazu.hr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34301"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.info.hazu.hr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.info.hazu.hr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.info.hazu.hr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}