Addressing Biosecurity Barriers in High-Risk Biological Research

Biological research, including dual-use research of concern and pathogens with enhanced pandemic potential, faces mounting regulatory scrutiny that may impact pandemic preparedness and scientific progress. At a 2024 deliberative workshop in Reno, Nevada, biosafety professionals, biosecurity experts, and life sciences researchers discussed potential barriers to effective governance, including ambiguous regulatory definitions, resource disparities between regulated institutions, and fragmented oversight frameworks that impose burdens without improving safety or security. By incorporating biosafety professionals' expertise into policymaking, fostering a collaborative dialogue over punitive and inconsistent enforcement, and securing ongoing funding for biosecurity programs, we call for actionable strategies to reduce risk while advancing safe, secure, and transformative biotechnological breakthroughs in the life sciences and strengthening national security.