Why has the Panel also developed recommendations on community engagement and communications?
The Panel believes that the successful operation of biocontainment laboratories relies on establishing and preserving the public trust. Accordingly, the Panel’s recommendations are designed to prompt further reflection and conversation within institutions about principles, best practices, and lessons learned regarding biocontainment laboratories and community engagement. The Panel has created these recommendations for consideration by the Advisory Committee to the Director, NIH. They are directed to all NIH-funded Regional and National Biocontainment Laboratories, and would therefore apply to the NEIDL if the outcome of the ongoing supplementary risk assessment study and court cases leads to a decision to conduct research under high- or maximum-containment conditions.
