Biosecurity in the United States
Biosecurity in the United States is governed by the
Biosecurity protocols are also used in laboratories and research facilities to prevent dangerous biological materials from falling into the hands of malevolent parties, particularly where dual-use research is being undertaken, for both peaceful and military applications.
Terminology
The term "biosecurity" has multiple meanings and is defined differently according to various disciplines. The term was first used by the
WHO has described biosecurity as a strategic and integrated approach to analysing and managing relevant risks to human, animal and plant life and health and associated risks for the environment.[3]
The term has in the past been used purely to describe preventive and
US definitions
In 2001, the US National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) defined biosecurity as "the sum of risk management practices in defense against biological threats", and its main goal as "protect[ing] against the risk posed by disease and organisms".[5]
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) defines biosecurity as "everything that’s done to keep diseases and the pathogens that carry them – viruses, bacteria, funguses, parasites and other microorganisms – away from birds, property, and people".[6]
The National Academy of Sciences defines biosecurity as "security against the inadvertent, inappropriate, or intentional malicious or malevolent use of potentially dangerous biological agents or biotechnology, including the development, production, stockpiling, or use of biological weapons as well as outbreaks of newly emergent and epidemic disease". It is thus one aspect of health security.[1]
Governance and legislation
In the US, biosecurity is governed by the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, which is within the Department of State. The Bureau promotes global
The National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity is a panel of experts that reports to the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. It is tasked with recommending policies on such questions as how to prevent published research in biotechnology from aiding terrorism, without slowing scientific progress. It provides "advice, guidance, and leadership regarding biosecurity oversight of dual-use research to all Federal departments and agencies with an interest in life sciences research".[8]
The
Securing our Agriculture and Food Act 2017
A
Agriculture and aquaculture
Naturally occurring pathogens are a constant battle for the U.S. agriculture and aquaculture industries.
Aquaculture
Biosecurity measures in aquaculture may include:[11]
- Isolation — Minimizing human-fish contact, and keeping fish safe from predators.
- Disinfection — Avoiding cross-contamination through disinfection and cleaning protocols.
- Monitoring — Collecting culture samples for routine surveillance.
- Destruction — Eradicating harmful organisms.
Medical countermeasures
The FDA runs a program called the "FDA Medical Countermeasures Initiative" (MCMi). It helps support "partner" agencies and organizations prepare for public health emergencies that could require MCMs. Its partners include government agencies at all levels of government,
- $512 million for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)
- $510 million for BioShieldSpecial Reserve Fund (SRF)
- $575 million for the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)
- $72 million for pandemic influenza
Challenges
The destruction of the
In the October 2011 Bio-Response Report Card, the Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction (established in 1994 as the Center for Counterproliferation Research, as an outgrowth of the Defense Counterproliferation Initiative[16][17]) stated that the major challenges to biosecurity were:[18]
- attribution
- communication
- detection and diagnosis
- environmental cleanup
- medical countermeasureavailability
- medical countermeasure development and approval process
- medical countermeasure dispensing
- medical management
See also
References
- ^
- S2CID 6357565. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ "Biosecurity: An integrated approach to manage risk to human, animal and plant life and health" (PDF). WHO.int. 3 March 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ Fitt, Gary (15 November 2013). "Explainer: why Australia needs biosecurity". The Conversation. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- .
- ^ Helmstetter, Michael (19 May 2020). "The Future Of Ag Biosecurity In The U.S." Forbes. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ "Biosafety and Biosecurity". United States Department of State. 26 April 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ "NSABB FAQ". Office of Science Policy. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ "About Us". Federal Select Agent Program. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ "Where do you stand?". Countable. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ "Biosecurity in Aquaculture: Fighting Disease Transmission". Syndel. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ a b "What are Medical Countermeasures?". FDA: Emergency Preparedness and Response. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
- ^ "MCMi Collaborations". U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 16 January 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ "Alliance for Biosecurity applauds subcommittee efforts to sustain medical countermeasure funding". Homeland Preparedness News. Washington, D.C. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
- ^ "Biosecurity 101". National Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ "About". Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction. 1 October 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- Federation Of American Scientists. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ISBN 978-0-615-53710-8. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2011-12-25. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
Further reading
- "Agricultural Biosecurity [Overview and resource list]". National Agricultural Law Center. 20 February 2019. Includes major statutes, regulations, case law, research publications and other reports, resources (government and civil) and publications
- Monaco, Lisa O.; Holdren, John P. (29 October 2015). "A National Biosafety and Biosecurity System in the United States". whitehouse.gov.
External links
- "Biosafety and Biosecurity". United States Department of State. 26 April 2019.
- "Biosecurity". USDA APHIS.
- "Biosecurity and Biodefense Resource: U.S. Government Agencies". Federation of American Scientists.