Select Agent
Definition
A biological agent or toxin designated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and USDA as posing a severe public health risk and therefore subject to strict possession, use, and transfer regulations under 42 CFR Part 73. Bacillus anthracis is a Tier 1 select agent.
- Regulators
- US CDC and USDA
- Regulation
- 42 CFR Part 73
- Example
- Bacillus anthracis (Tier 1)
- Scope
- Possession, use and transfer controls
Common questions
What distinguishes a Tier 1 select agent from other select agents?+
Tier 1 designates the subset assessed as posing the greatest risk of deliberate misuse for mass casualties, and it carries the most stringent security, personnel screening and inventory requirements under the regulation.
Why does select agent status matter to a microbial forensics investigation?+
Facilities authorised to hold a select agent must maintain detailed possession and transfer records, which investigators can use to trace a strain's custody history when attributing an attack such as a biothreat letter.
Related terms
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- NBFAC
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- Phylogenetic Proximity
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- RMR-1029
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