Select Agents
In recent years, the threat of illegitimate use of infectious agents has attracted increasing interest from the perspective of public health.
In view of the concern that certain select agents could have serious adverse consequences for human health and safety, laws were enacted to regulate the possession, usage, or transfer of select agents. These laws include shipping and handling requirements for facilities that transfer or receive select infectious agents.
Select agents are agents, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and rickettsiae or toxins specifically identified in federal regulations. Select agents also include specific genetically modified microorganisms or genetic elements that contain specific nucleic acid sequences.
The George Washington University Medical Center's Office of Laboratory Safety and Compliance administers the Institutional Policy for Select Agents.
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