Biosecurity Challenges of the Global Expansion of High Containment Biological Laboratories

During July 10-13, 2011, 68 participants from 32 countries gathered in Istanbul, Turkey for a workshop organized by the United States National Research Council on Anticipating Biosecurity Challenges of the Global Expansion of High-containment Biological Laboratories. The United States Department of State’s Biosecurity Engagement Program sponsored the workshop, which was held in partnership with the Turkish Academy of Sciences. The international workshop examined biosafety and biosecurity issues related to the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of high-containment biological laboratories- equivalent to United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention biological safety level 3 or 4 labs. Although these laboratories are needed to characterize highly dangerous human and animal pathogens, assist in disease surveillance, and produce vaccines, they are complex systems with inherent risks.

Author:
Alison K. Hottes, Benjamin Rusek, and Fran Sharples, Rapporteurs; Committee on Anticipating Biosecurity Challenges of the Global Expansion of High-Containment Biological Laboratories; National Academy of Sciences and National Research Council
Publish Date:
December 2011