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Reference Material and Related Resources

Key Resources

Comments in Reponse to Federal Register Notices (FRN)


Customer Screening References

U.S. Code Title 18 Section 175(b): “Whosoever knowingly possesses any biological agent, toxin, or delivery system of a type or in a quantity that, under the circumstances, is not reasonably justified by a prophylactic, protective, bona fide research, or other peaceful purpose, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.”


Sequence Screening Resources

  • Select Agent Regulations: Within the U.S., microbial organisms and toxins that have been determined to have the potential to pose a severe threat to public health and safety, animal health, plant health, or animal or plant products are regulated through the Select Agent Regulations, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (HHS/CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS).
  • Select Agent Exclusions:  Attenuated strains that are not subject to the requirements of 42 CFR Part 73, 9 CFR Part 121, and 7 CFR Part 331.  These attenuated strains of Select Agents and Toxins have been excluded from regulation but share high sequence similarity with some Select Agents and Toxins.


Processes for Domestic and International Orders



Screening Framework Guidance for Providers and Users of Synthetic Nucleic Acids