Overview | Mission | Vision | Functions
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Overview |
The Division of Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Countering Biological Threats 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 of Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Countering Biological Threats leads many interdepartmental initiatives to develop and implement policies that balance the need for safety and security with essential support of robust, innovative life sciences research. 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 |
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 |
The Division's vision is that protecting 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. Additionally, through collaborative efforts to enhance laboratory safety and security, we aim to reduce the risk from deliberate or accidental releases of hazardous biological agents.
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Functions |
- Provides leadership on and participates in the development of new policy initiatives related to biosecurity, biosafety, and countering biological threats;
- Analyzes and reviews existing and proposed policies on biosecurity, biosafety, and biorisk management;
- 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, raising awareness of the impact of policy and informing on best practices in the implementation of policy;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, international organizations and non-Federal stakeholders; and
- Supports the activities of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB), a Federal Advisory Committee
