Implementation of biosurety systems in a Department of Defense medical research laboratory

New biosurety regulations and guidelines were implemented in 2003 because of increased concern for the safety and security of biological select agents and toxins (BSAT) that may be used as weapons of mass destruction. Biosurety is defined as the combination of security, biosafety, agent accountability, and personnel reliability needed to prevent unauthorized access to select agents of bioterrorism. These new regulations will lead to increased scrutiny of the use of select biological agents in registered research laboratories, but the regulations may have unintended effects on cost, progress, and perceptions in programs previously considered part of the academic research community. We review the history of biosurety, evolving guidelines, implementation of the regulations, and impacts at the lead research laboratory for medical biological defense for the Department of Defense.