USDA Tightening Biological Research Laws

When an overseas lab sends biological agents to the U.S., they are supposed to be inactive, but last year saw multiple instances when that did not occur.

The USDA oversees the regulation of these incoming specimens, and a recent Government Accountability Office report says there needs to be updated rules.

The USDA’s Dr. Mark Davidson said they understand the danger to crops and people, so they’re doing just that.

“We’ll clarify what is required to achieve inactivation and the related guidance will lay out standards to help researchers validate inactivation protocols.”

These new regulations will help reduce the risk of biological agents being released that could damage crops, or harm people while still allowing research to continue.