Biodefense Promotes Biosecurity Through Threat Reduction Programs and Global Health Security

Abstract

As the world faces an increasing rate of emergent and re-emergent infectious disease events, whole-of-government biosecurity systems are critical now more than ever for countries to detect and contain biothreats at their source. While most disease outbreaks occur naturally, it is important to prepare for potentially devasting outbreaks caused by an intentional release of a dangerous agent. Threat reduction programs and global health security aim to prevent the unauthorized access, loss, theft, deliberate release, or misuse of hazardous biological agents and associated-related information and actively promote responsible conduct of life science research and oversight of dual-use risks. Laboratory staff who have access to especially dangerous pathogens can avert intentional releases through appropriate training, tools, and oversight in biosecurity. Ultimately, biosecurity practices help countries to counter natural and manmade biological threats while also fostering safe scientific progress. Strong biosecurity capacity is key to building defenses and optimizing global health security against biological threats. This chapter will focus on the application of biosecurity in major U.S. and international biodefense and threat reduction programs, as well as analyze the pivotal role of biosecurity in the context of global health security.