Inspection Report: IG-0695

Coordination of Biological Select Agent Activities at Department of Energy Facilities

Office of Inspector General

July 27, 2005
minute read time

July 27, 2005

Coordination of Biological Select Agent Activities at Department of Energy Facilities

The emerging threat to homeland security posed by the possible use of biological weapons of mass destruction has led to an increase in research and development activities involving biological select agents throughout the Federal Government, including the Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory system.

  • The emerging threat to homeland security posed by the possible use of biological weapons of mass destruction has led to an
    increase in research and development activities involving
    biological select agents throughout the Federal Government,
    including the Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory system.
    The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has provided
    millions of dollars to DOE for research and development,
    including work involving biological select agents. There was a
    significant increase in this funding between 2004 and 2005.
    Biological select agents are viruses, bacteria, rickettsia, fungi, and
    toxins whose possession, transfer, and use are controlled due to
    their capability to cause substantial harm to human healthle","