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The purpose of the CDC's Select Agents regulation (42CFR72) is to provide a means of accountability for the use of select agents- biological agents that could pose a severe threat to public health and safety. On June 10, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the "Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002." This Act expands current regulations governing listed biological agents or toxins to require that all persons who possess, use, and/or transfer these materials register with the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. All such persons are subject to safety and security requirements and inspections. As a result of the bioterrorism events of 2001 and 2002, federal legislation (USA Patriot Act) has been passed that restricts specific groups of people from handling or accessing Select Agents. Therefore, anyone who plans to work with these materials may be asked to complete an affidavit to verify that he/she is not a restricted person in addition to registering with the CDC via the ORCBS. A link to an example Affidavit form is below.
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