Select Agents and Toxin
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Select Agents and Toxin Program
As a consequence of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Congress passed and the President signed the USA PATRIOT Act on October 26, 2001 which affects the possession of "Select Agents", biological agents and toxins determined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)/APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) to have bioterrorism potential. This legislation extends previous regulations that restricted the transport, but not the possession of these agents.
Due to ongoing national concerns regarding the security and possession of "Select Agents", additional legislation entitled the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act was passed and signed into law on June 12, 2002. Regulations implementing this law became effective February 7, 2003 and include many new provisions such as: a revised list of Select Agents and Toxins; registration with the Centers for Disease Control to possess Select Agents and Toxins; submission of names of individuals with access to Select Agents and Toxins to Department of Justice for security clearance; development of security and safety plans; record keeping (including inventory) and training; and significant criminal penalties that extend to individuals for failure to comply.
If you possess Select Agents OR intend to perform future research or work involving any Select Agent and Toxins, you must immediately inform the Biological Safety Officer, or call 502-852-6670, so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Program Registration Requirements
The possession, transport and acquisition of Select Agent and other than permissible quantities of toxins require registration with Health and Human Services (HHS) Centers for Disease Control (CDC) prior to possession.
If you possess Select Agents or any amount of Select Toxins OR intend to perform future research or work involving any Select Agent or Toxins, you must immediately inform the Biological Safety Officer, or call 502-852-6670, so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
The intended use of all biological agents and Select Agents or Toxins in particular, requires university registration with the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). Registration with UofL's IBC assists the investigator in understanding these regulatory requirements, avoiding liability and fines and ensures the safe use of the agents and toxins.