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By Category: Biosafety

HHS Seeks Comments on Bioterror Select Agents List

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published a notice Wednesday seeking comments by Aug. 20 about its current list of select agents and toxins. The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 required creation of the list and a biennial review of it thereafter; the list consists of toxins  Read More »

Worker Protection From Pathogens Said Key in Bioterror Response

Adequate protections from airborne pathogens are crucial in protectiong health workers and other responders from infection in the event of a disease outbreak or bioterror attack, U.S. government researchers said yesterday.

FACT SHEET: Executive Order on Optimizing the Security of Biological Select Agents and Toxins in the United States

Today, President Barack Obama issued an Executive Order that directs fundamental changes to the way highly hazardous pathogens and toxins in the United States are secured against misuse.  Research on such so-called Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT) is critical for the development and availability of public health and medical tools that are needed to  Read More »

Executive Order – Optimizing the Security of Biological Select Agents and Toxins in the United States

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States that: (a)  A robust and productive scientific enterprise that utilizes biological select agents and toxins (BSAT) is essential  Read More »

Biosurveillance: Efforts to Develop a National Biosurveillance Capability Need a National Strategy and a Designated Leader