Biosafety and Biosecurity: Expert Reports
The division produces 60-70 reports per year. These reports are unique, authoritative expert evaluations. Each report is produced by a committee of experts selected by the Academy to address a particular statement of task and is subject to a rigorous, independent peer review. The experts who volunteer their time participating on study committees are vetted to make sure that the committee has the range of expertise needed to address the task, that they have a balance of perspectives, and to identify and eliminate members with conflicts of interest. All reports undergo a rigorous, independent peer review to assure that the statement of task has been addressed, that conclusions are adequately supported, and that all important issues raised by the reviewers are addressed. Thus, while the reports represent views of the committee, they also are endorsed by the Academy.
Determining Core Capabilities in Chemical and Biological Defense Science and Technology (2012)
With the goal of providing world-class capabilities to allow the nation's armed forces to fight chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attack, the U.S. Department of Defense's Chemical and Biological Defense Program must continuously evolve to keep up with the changing nature of conflict and rapid advances in science and technology. This report identifies the core capabilities that must be supported by the program, and identifie... More >>
Meeting Critical Laboratory Needs for Animal Agriculture: Examination of Three Options (2012)
Outbreaks of animal disease can have catastrophic repercussions for animal agriculture, the food supply, and public health. Rapid detection, diagnosis and response, as well as development of new vaccines, are central to mitigating the impact of disease outbreaks. The proposed National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) is a next-generation laboratory for animal disease diagnostics, training, and research that would provide core critica... More >>
Report in Brief
Evaluation of the Updated Site-Specific Risk Assessment for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, Kansas (2012)
The updated site-specific risk assessment for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility is a substantial improvement over the original 2010 site-specific risk assessment, but is still inadequate in fully characterizing the risks associated with operating a high biocontainment facility in Manhattan, Kansas. Many of the shortcomings identified in a 2010 National Research Council report have been addressed in this updated assessment and mor... More >>
Report in Brief
Continuing Assistance to the National Institutes of Health on Preparation of Additional Reisk Assessments for the Boston University NEIDL, Phase 3 (2011)
The penultimate draft of an assessment of the risks associated with opening the proposed National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory at Boston University is a substantial improvement over past documents reviewed in previous National Research Council reports. The risk assessment is now closer to reaching its goal of being "scientifically and technically sound" and, in general, addresses the concerns raised in previous National Researc... More >>
Animal Models for Assessing Countermeasures to Bioterrorism Agents (2011)
Transformational Medical Technologies, a component of the Department of Defense, funds the development of medical countermeasures to protect warfighters against potential biothreats such as emerging infectious agents and toxins and future genetically engineered biological weapons. Because these pathogens are potentially lethal or cause debilitating diseases in humans, it is ethically impermissible to test the effectiveness of medica... More >>