Closing blind spots in laboratory biosafety and biosecurity in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Laboratory biosafety and biosecurity have long been regarded as highly technical disciplines focused on containment practices and the safe handling of infectious agents. Their purpose is to protect laboratory personnel, communities, and the environment from accidental exposure, loss, theft, misuse, or intentional release. That framing is no longer sufficient. A biological incident that begins in one laboratory can rapidly become a national emergency, cross borders and threaten global health security.