A new report from the National Research Council, RESPONSIBLE RESEARCH WITH BIOLOGICAL SELECT AGENTS AND TOXINS, assesses the efficacy of regulations, procedures, and oversight that have been instituted to safeguard against the deliberate misuse of biological select agents and toxins (BSAT) used in research. The report looks at security programs designed to protect against external threats, as well as internal threats from laboratory personnel. The report also makes recommendations on refining security programs and procedures with the aim of informing policy discussions in the U.S. on balancing the security risks and benefits of BSAT research.
Reporters may obtain copies of the report by contacting the National Academies' Office of News and Public Information, tel. 202-334-2138 or e-mail news@nas.edu. Advance copies will be available to reporters only starting at noon EDT on Tuesday, Sept. 29. THE REPORT IS EMBARGOED AND NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE BEFORE 1:30 P.M. EDT ON WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 30.