Recent News

By Category: Biosafety

Draft Supplementary Risk Assessment for the Boston University NEIDL is now available

(NIH Blue Ribbon Panel) The Draft Supplementary Risk Assessment for the Boston University National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) is now available for public review and comment. The Notice of Availability for the draft supplementary risk assessment was published in the February 24, 2012 edition of the Federal Register.

February 24, 2012
| Filed under North America, Biosafety, and Research
Share

Canada confines mutant flu to maximum-security facilities

(Nature.com) Canada this month announced that any research on mammalian-transmissible strains of the H5N1 avian flu virus in the country’s labs would need to be done at the strictest level of biocontainment, biosafety level 4 (BSL-4). It’s the first country to …

February 24, 2012
| Filed under North America, Biosafety, and Policy & Initiatives
Share

UW steps up bio research safety

(Capital Times) UW-Madison has strengthened its once lacking oversight of biological research, such as the bird flu study by Yoshihiro Kawaoka entangled in an international debate over biosafety and bioterrorism. But the university could face more rules recommended …

February 22, 2012
| Filed under North America, Biosafety, and Research
Share

Science & Technology Directorate

(Fierce Homeland Security) NBAF is envisioned as a Biosafety Level 4 (the most dangerous possible) laboratory for the study of animal diseases and a replacement for the existing Plum Island Animal Disease Center, which is located off of Long Island, NY The Plum Island center, …

February 21, 2012
| Filed under North America, Agriculture, Biosafety, Policy & Initiatives, and Research
Share

Bill Would Extend State Oversight to Maryland Disease Laboratories

(Global Security Newswire) A bill submitted by a Maryland lawmaker this month would require official state certification and oversight of nongovernmental disease research facilities, the Fredrick News-Post reported on Wednesday. The proposal, put forward by state Senator Ron Young, would charge the Maryland Health and Mental Hygiene Department with certifying and watching over any new Read More »