Controlling Dangerous Pathogens


  Dangerous Pathogens.ppt (Size: 66.5 KB / Downloads: 3)

Introduction

Today’s presentation will focus on mechanisms “to establish and maintain the security and oversight of pathogenic microorganisms and toxins.”
Efforts to enhance security have focused largely on controlling access to materials.
Efforts to enhance oversight have focused largely on safety.
Little attention has been given to broader implications of actual work with pathogens and toxins.
Effective action IS possible.

Current Approach to Security:Access

US
Registration requirements for facilities
Inspections to ensure safety & security
Background checks on those with access
UK
Similar requirements for notification, inspections & personnel vetting for facilities
Czech Republic
Licensing of individuals handling specified pathogens and toxins

Limitations of Current Approaches

Variation across countries
Narrow focus on controlling physical access to pathogens/toxins or ensuring safety of work
Virtually no attention to broader implications of high consequence work with pathogens and toxins
This is not a future problem

Local Review Body

Responsible for overseeing potentially dangerous activities (i.e. those that increase potential for otherwise benign pathogens to be used as weapons)
Similar to GM Safety Committees in UK
Majority of activities would fall into this category or not be affected at all

Conclusion

High consequence work with pathogenic microorganisms and toxins is underway throughout the world.
Effective action on the security and oversight of pathogens and toxins requires uniform, harmonized rules and procedures across countries.
CISSM approach provides one possible way of achieving this goal.