Biolab safety (Mobile only)

Whether or not the recent coronavirus pandemic was the result of a leak from a biolab remains hotly contested. Irrespective of that, tightening security and safeguarding this space seems worthy of our attention when we consider the profound risk associated.

In this paper we suggest a number of new biocontainment precautions that should become part of an international regulatory framework set by the United nations. The U.N. should draft a treaty mandating member States to abide by the following safety measures to inure international law. Precautions should apply to all bio level 3 and 4 labs worldwide.

There are currently 54 bio safety level 4 labs operational in the world and hundreds of bsl-3. The number of laboratories keeps on growing and currently there is no central regulator to provide oversight. Worldwide, there have already been multiple breaches in which deadly pathogens have leaked from bsl-3 and 4 laboratories. It is only shear luck that prevented these leaks from wiping out millions of people.

The risk of both a future accidental leak and the risk of theft posed by a terror group is considerable and unacceptable in our opinion. Furthermore the amount of deadly pathogens being studied is set to increase by 600% with the global virome project, making safety even more of a prescient concern. It is for these reasons that we urge the U.N to take action and we provide a proposal for an international regulatory framework below.

Biocontainment precautions

1) No animal disease laboratories should be built near animal farms, ranches, wildlife etc or near animal feed lots.

2) Biolabs should not be built in population hub cities.

3) No biolabs should be built in areas that are vulnerable to tsunamis.

4) Biolabs that are situated in areas that are vulnerable to earthquakes must be suitability reinforced.

5) A 24 hour armed guard must be situated at all biolabs.

6) Staff must be subject to next generation lie detection tests such as Converus eye detect.

7) Teams from other nations should carry out inspections of laboratories to make sure they are working in accordance with international law and are safe and if not the labs must be shut down.

Author: David Ian Bennett

Date published: 5th May 2021