Bioterrorism Law Includes Feinstein/Gregg
Measure to Require Strict Certification of Labs
June 12, 2002

Washington, DC - The bioterrorism bill signed into law by the President today includes a provision sponsored by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Judd Gregg (R-NH) to establish strict certification requirements for laboratories that handle anthrax, smallpox and more than 30 other deadly pathogens.

The proposal is the product of extensive negotiations with a number of other senators including, Senator Bill Frist (R-TN), Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), as well as the Bush Administration.

"Last fall, this nation became aware of the threat from deadly biological agents, when weaponized anthrax spores killed five people, infected 23 people, and caused the closure of a Senate Office Building for over three months," Senator Feinstein said. "By establishing a strict registration system for all researchers who possess these deadly biological agents, this legislation will help us ensure that a biological attack does not happen again."

"I am pleased that these provisions were incorporated into the bill signed into law by the President today. Any comprehensive bioterrorism preparedness package would be incomplete without addressing laboratory security here in the Untied states."

Specifically, the measure directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a registration system for the possession of the most deadly biological agents and toxins (around 35, including anthrax, small pox, and botulism). Under the registration system:

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