the United States has currently 82 viruses and bacteria on its list of certain agents, pathogens whose handling requires compliance with a number of safety and security rules prescribed by the federal government. A new bill introduced in the US Senate yesterday proposed to revise the selection agent program by creating a tiered system that switched the safety requirements for the most dangerous pathogens on the list while relaxing them for others .
mass destruction (WMD) Prevention and 09 Protection Act, introduced by Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and ranking member of the committee, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), is a response to growing concerns about biosafety in the United States. public anxiety on the issue has increased since the Army researcher Bruce Ivins involvement in the anthrax attacks of 01 and a December 08 report from the warning of the WMD Commission of the high probability of a bioterrorist attack on the floor of the United States over the next five years. At the same time, scientists have expressed concern that excessive regulatory controls can stifle biomedical research and harm public health in the long term. For example, vaccine researchers who need some viruses on the list for testing drug delivery systems already complaining about the restrictions following the current rules.
We dare not bury our heads in the sand and ignore the very real risks we face a terrorist WMD attack, "Lieberman said at a news conference yesterday." This bill would help to prevent such attacks and to better prepare the nation to respond should one occur. "
Bill attempts to strike a balance between the need for greater security and progress of the research. Below, the anthrax-pathogen most feared, smallpox, and dozen others, would be designated as Tier 1 agents.
the Department of Homeland security (DHS) establish and apply new safety standards for laboratories and those working with these pathogens, including further control and monitoring of background research. While select rules for existing officers are supervised by the Department of Health and Human services and the US Department of Agriculture, the new bill would provide for DHS working with both organizations. the bill also authorizes DHS to grant $ 50 million in grants each year from 2010 to 2013 to help level handling establishments 1 agents to improve biosecurity. The remaining pathogens on the list of selection agents are designated as level 2 agents, and those who are governed by less strict rules. The bill would also add to the list a third level of still other pathogens, less dangerous; Laboratories working with those who would have to register with the government to allow a rapid response in case of epidemics. A companion bill has not been introduced in the House of Representatives.
0 Komentar