National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity 

The NSABB has been established to provide advice to federal departments and agencies on ways to minimize the possibility that knowledge and technologies emanating from vitally important biological research will be misused to threaten public health or national security.  The NSABB is a critical component of a set of federal initiatives to promote biosecurity in life science research. 

 The NSABB is charged specifically with guiding the development of: 

·        A system of institutional and federal research review that allows for fulfillment of important research objectives while addressing national security concerns;

·        Guidelines for the identification and conduct of research that may require special attention and security surveillance;

·        Professional codes of conduct for scientists and laboratory workers that can be adopted by professional organizations and institutions engaged in life science research; and

·        Materials and resources to educate the research community about effective biosecurity.  

The NSABB is chartered to have up to 25 voting members with a broad range of expertise in molecular biology, microbiology, infectious diseases, biosafety, public health, veterinary medicine, plant health, national security, biodefense, law enforcement, scientific publishing, and related field.  The NSABB also includes nonvoting ex officio members from 15 federal agencies and departments.  NSABB members are presently being appointed. 

Please visit this site frequently for updates on the NSABB and its activities.