Overview | Mission | Vision | Functions
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Overview
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The Division of Biosafety and Biosecurity in ASPR’s Office of Policy and Planning works to improve the Nation's ability to counter biological threats and other challenges to domestic and global health security and safety while fostering scientific progress. Members of the Division utilize their scientific subject-matter expertise to advise ASPR leadership in developing and implementing policy, and creating and maintaining partnerships with other Federal, State, and local agencies, the life sciences community, and the public.
The Division's vision is that the protection of public health depends on the combined efforts of Federal and non-Federal partners that engage in preparedness and response activities against emerging infectious diseases and other health emergencies, and in collaborative efforts to enhance laboratory safety and security, thereby reducing the risk from the deliberate or accidental release of hazardous biological agents.
The Division of Biosafety and Biosecurity leads many interdepartmental initiatives to develop and implement policies that balance the need for security with that of encouraging a robust life sciences enterprise. The overall goals of the Division, which are accomplished through collaboration with other Federal departments and agencies, are to protect laboratory workers and public health; to advance the medical countermeasures enterprise; and to enhance global health security.
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Mission
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Help counter biological threats and other challenges to domestic and global health security and safety while fostering scientific progress.
- Enhance the Nation’s ability to prevent and respond to public health emergencies, regardless of their cause
- Help ensure that laboratory workers, public health, agriculture, and the environment are protected from biological threats
- Enhance public health security in the United States and abroad
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Vision
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The Division's vision is that the protection of public health depends on the combined efforts of Federal and non-Federal partners that engage in preparedness and response activities against emerging infectious diseases and other health emergencies, and in collaborative efforts to enhance laboratory safety and security, thereby reducing the risk from the deliberate or accidental release of hazardous biological agents.
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Functions
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- Provides leadership on and participates in the development of new policy initiatives related to biosecurity, biosafety, and bioweapons nonproliferation;
- Analyzes and reviews existing and proposed policies on biosecurity, biosafety, and bioweapons nonproliferation;
- Performs expert analyses of and prepares HHS/ASPR implementation plans to support U.S. Government public health policies related to biodefense, biosecurity, and biosafety;
- Develops collaborative relationships within the biosciences community;
- Performs expert analyses of data and findings collected by other organizations, and interprets complex legislative, regulatory, and policy guidance for use in managing national and international biodefense, biosecurity, biosafety, and other activities related to the protection of public health;
- Represents ASPR in biodefense, biosecurity, biosafety, and international health policy discussions, meetings with officials and staff from HHS, other departments and Federal and State agencies, the White House, and international organizations and non-Federal stakeholders;
- Support the activities of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB), a Federal Advisory Committee; and
- Serves as a liaison to the State Department for Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 implementation.