White House Announces Tighter Regulations For Research On Dangerous Microbes And Toxins
May 08, 2024
The New York Times (5/7, Zimmer, Mueller) reports, “The White House has unveiled tighter rules for research on potentially dangerous microbes and toxins, in an effort to stave off laboratory accidents that could unleash a pandemic.” The policy “strengthens the government’s oversight by replacing a short list of dangerous pathogens with broad categories into which more pathogens might fall.” It also “pays attention not only to human pathogens, but also those that could threaten crops and livestock,” and “provides more details about the kinds of experiments that would draw the attention of government regulators.” The new regulations “will take effect in a year, giving government agencies and departments time to update their guidance to meet the new requirements.”