GAO study identifies needed oversight reforms for labs researching hazardous pathogens

Some of the 276 laboratories across the United States that research hazardous pathogens like Ebola virus and anthrax bacteria experience continued safety lapses, leaving oversight reforms needed, according to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) study.

The Federal Select Agent Program is tasked with overseeing the labs’ handling of hazardous pathogens. The GAO study found, however, that program oversight efforts have been hampered by lack of independence from the labs it oversees, failure to formally assess the most high-risk activities and workforce training gaps contributing to a lack of expertise.

“Moreover, the program does not have joint strategic planning documents to guide its oversight,” the GAO report states. “Although it began taking steps to develop a joint strategic plan during GAO’s review, the program is not developing workforce plans as part of this effort. GAO’s past work has found that strategic workforce planning is an essential tool to help agencies align their workforces with their missions and develop long-term strategies for acquiring, developing and retaining staff. Developing a joint workforce plan that assesses workforce and training needs for the program as a whole would help the program leverage resources to ensure all workforce and training needs are met.”

The GAO made 11 recommendations for the Select Agent Program that focus on assessing risks with the current oversight structure and identifying mechanisms to reduce conflicts of interest, assessing the riskiest hazardous material handling activities and developing the joint workforce plan.