National Institutes of Health

UNITED STATES - (News Release) The National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) is scheduled to virtually convene on Feb. 28, 2022, from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. EST.  The meeting will include a review of the charge to the committee and discussion of next steps for the committee.

The NSABB is a federal advisory committee chartered to provide advice, guidance and recommendations to the U.S. government regarding biosecurity oversight of dual use research. These issues are of paramount importance to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NIH, and the broader U.S. government. 

In January 2020, the NSABB was charged with providing recommendations on balancing security and public transparency when sharing information about research with enhanced potential pandemic pathogens (ePPP). The board was also tasked with evaluating and analyzing the U.S. Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) policies. Due to the rapid escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the activities of the NSABB were paused to allow members to prioritize response activities at their home institutions.

The NSABB is being reconvened to help ensure that the U.S. government oversight framework is keeping up with rapid advances in science that may raise biosecurity concerns.