Status Brief
History/Origins:
Developmental Milestones/Developments to Date:
Current Assessment/State of the Field:
Problems/Challenges:
Proposals:
Organizations
Interacademy Panel – http://www.interacademies.net/CMS/About.aspx
- “IAP is a global network of the world’s science academies, launched in 1993. Its primary goal is to help member academies work together to advise citizens and public officials on the scientific aspects of critical global issues. IAP is particularly interested in assisting young and small academies achieve these goals and, through the communication links and networks created by IAP activities, all academies will be able to raise both their public profile among citizens and their influence among policy makers.”
- IAP Statement on Biosecurity – http://www.interacademies.net/Object.File/Master/5/399/Biosecurity%20St..pdf
International Council for the Life Sciences (ICLS) – http://www.iclscharter.org/eng/index.asp
- “The International Council for the Life Sciences (ICLS) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to enhancing global biological security and safety and reducing the risks of the misuse of the life sciences. Founded in December 2005, the membership-based ICLS provides a forum for the sustained engagement of the life sciences community and governments on a global basis. The ICLS operates internationally and works cooperatively to build networks to help reduce biological risks.”
The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) – http://www.faseb.org/faseb/WhatIsFASEB.html
- FASEB “advances health and welfare by promoting progress and education in biological and biomedical sciences through service to its member societies and collaborative advocacy.”
National Commission for the Investigation of Scientific Misconduct – http://www.etikkom.no/en/In-English/Scientific-Misconduct/
- “According to ”Law on Ethics and Integrity in Research” entered into force in July 2007 research institutes (universities etc.) have the primary responsibility for preventing and handling allegations concerning research misconduct.”
Federal Groups
Medical Countermeasures – https://www.medicalcountermeasures.gov/default.aspx
- “Medical Countermeasures facilitates communication between federal government agencies and public stakeholders to enhance the Nation’s public health emergency preparedness.
Objectives:
- To facilitate communication and improves transparency related to public health emergency medical countermeasures by engaging stakeholders in industry and the research and development community.
- To provide external stakeholders with a single point of entry to the U.S. government to discuss products that treat, identify, or prevent harm from a threat. Stakeholders with medical countermeasures in the development pipeline will be routed to the most appropriate department within the federal government for consideration.
- To facilitate the flow of information between the government and stakeholders in the research and development community by providing up-to-date information on government initiatives and events.”
National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) – http://oba.od.nih.gov/biosecurity/about_nsabb.html
- “The NSABB is charged specifically with guiding the development of:
- A system of institutional and federal research review that allows for fulfillment of important research objectives while addressing national security concerns;
- Guidelines for the identification and conduct of research that may require special attention and security surveillance;
- Professional codes of conduct for scientists and laboratory workers that can be adopted by professional organizations and institutions engaged in life science research; and
- Materials and resources to educate the research community about effective biosecurity.
- Strategies for fostering international collaboration for the effective oversight of dual use biological research.
- The NSABB is chartered to have up to 25 voting members with a broad range of expertise in molecular biology, microbiology, infectious diseases, biosafety, public health, veterinary medicine, plant health, national security, biodefense, law enforcement, scientific publishing, and related field. The NSABB also includes nonvoting ex officio members from 15 federal agencies and departments.”
Working Group on Strengthening the Biosecurity of the United States
- The Working Group “was established by Executive Order (EO) 13486 on January 9, 2009, with the mission of reviewing, evaluating, analyzing and making recommendations to the President regarding the current laws, regulations, guidance, and practices of laboratories (including clinical and environmental facilities) that conduct research on, handle, store, or transport biological select agents and toxins in the United States.
- Within 180 days, the Working Group must issue a report to the President containing “recommendations for any new legislation, regulations, guidance, or practices for security and personnel assurance” and “options for establishing oversight mechanisms.”
- The report will also include a comparison of personnel security and reliability programs for access to biological select agents and toxins to similar programs in other fields and industries. Given the importance of biosecurity to protecting public health and agriculture, a public consultation meeting is being held to discuss biosecurity issues related to the Select Agent Regulations (The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regulations for Select Agents and Toxins, 42 CFR Part 72, and the United States Department of Agriculture regulations for Possession, Use, and Transfer of Select Agents and Toxins, 9 CFR Part 121).
- Topics will include the definition of select agents, transportation of select agents, physical and personnel security of select agent entities, oversight and inspections of laboratories, and fostering a culture of
security and responsibility.”