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NSABB Statement: The United States Department of Health and Human Services convened the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) on March 29‐30, 2012, to examine two revised manuscripts regarding the transmissibility of A/H5N1 influenza virus (avian flu) in ferrets. Earlier versions of these manuscripts had been submitted for publication in Science and Nature and were reviewed by the Board.

The United States has long recognized the dangers inherent in the spread of nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) weapons, and missiles. This Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report analyzes NBC weapons programs potential threat patterns around the globe, is updated as needed.

This document is a testimony given by Jr. Assistant Comptroller General, National Security and International Affairs Division, Henry L. Hinton, to the Committee on Veteran’s Affairs and the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, addressing four issues. First, “intelligence agencies’ judgments about the threat of terrorism. Second, [it] will highlight the importance and benefits of threat and risk assessments to provide a sound basis for targeting the nation’s investments in combating terrorism—a widely recognized sound business practice we have discussed in our reports and testimonies. Third, preliminary observations from [the GAO’s] ongoing work on the science behind the biological and chemical terrorist threat, with some focus on biological agents. Finally, [it] provides some of the overall observations on public health.”

“The National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) was established as one tool to aid policymakers and researchers in assessing the risks of federally funded research in the life sciences. It aims to provide the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and researchers a source for advice on dual0use research and other biosecurity issues. Advice rendered by the NSABB may shape research activities and standards practiced in life science research fields. The establishment of the NSABB has raised several issues of potential congressional interest. These include the mechanism and appropriateness of NSABB review of scientific research, the scope of NSABB recommendations with respect to publication of scientific research, the domestic and international adoption of practices or codes developed by the NSABB, the implementation of NSABB guidelines at the local level, and applicability of NSABB recommendations to federal agencies other than HHS.”
By Dana A. Shea

Biocontainment technologies are widely used by scientists around the world. Efforts to increase control of U.S. high-containment laboratories may put domestic industry at a competitive disadvantage and inhibit international academic collaboration. Absent international harmonization, the United States can only partially address the threat of a high-containment laboratory being the source of a bioterror weapon….