Bill would set lab security standards

Security standards for the U.S. biotechnology industry would be overhauled and strengthened under legislation expected to be introduced Tuesday by Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., and ranking member Susan Collins, R-Maine.

The legislation would, for the first time, create a comprehensive framework, including risk tiers, to regulate security for federal and private laboratories that work with the world's deadliest biological agents and toxins.

"The approaching 8th anniversary of the 9/11 and anthrax attacks reminds us that we cannot let our guard down against the constant threat of terrorism," Lieberman said.

At the heart of the issue is concern over securing biological pathogens that have dual-use purposes, meaning they have scientific and medical value when properly used but also could be turned into weapons to kill or sicken people.

The legislation was written largely in response to findings of the congressionally chartered Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, which was led by former Sens. Bob Graham, D-Fla., and Jim Talent, R-Mo.

The commission concluded last December that security at U.S. labs was inadequate and predicted that a bio-terrorism attack is likely to occur somewhere in the world within five years.

"That is a chilling assessment and is why we are introducing our legislation to provide a comprehensive framework for protecting Americans from such an attack, particularly a biological attack," Lieberman said.

The bill would require labs to categorize the most dangerous pathogens -- those most likely to be used in an attack. Security standards would be required for labs that use them.