Task Force Background

The Federal government, committed to continued improvement in biosafety and biosafety oversight, established the Trans-Federal Task Force on Optimizing Biosafety and Biocontainment Oversight.  The Task Force’s purpose is to “explore methods to improve biosafety oversight in the United States to include a review of mechanisms by which the Federal Government can ensure safe working conditions in laboratories handling infectious agents.” The Task Force envisions effective comprehensive local and Federal oversight that protects laboratory workers, public health, agriculture and the environment while fostering progress in life sciences research.