[Building today the sustainable medical biology laboratory of tomorrow].

Abstract

In the face of climate emergency, medical biology laboratories (MBLs) must reconcile diagnostic performance, innovation, and environmental sustainability. Playing a crucial role in patient diagnosis and follow-up, MBLs have a significant ecological footprint due to their high energy consumption, extensive use of plastics, and substantial waste production, including hazardous materials classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic, or radioactive. Still with the goal of continuing to contribute to patient care activities and improving the quality of care, this article provides an overview of concrete strategies and perspectives for reducing the ecological footprint of medical biology MBLs. Through practical examples and evidence-based recommendations, we aim to raise awareness among medical biologists and equip them with the necessary tools to integrate ecological transition into their daily practices.