The United States Government (USG) issued in March 2012 the Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) Policy, and subsequently, the Policy for Institutional Oversight of Life Sciences DURC. The USG defines DURC as:

…life sciences research that, based on current understanding, can be reasonably anticipated to provide knowledge, information, products, or technology that could be directly misapplied to pose a significant threat with broad potential consequences to public health and safety, plants, animals, the environment, material, or national security.

In particular, the Policy for Institutional Oversight of Life Sciences DURC “establishes institutional review procedures and oversight requirements that parallel those undertaken by federal funding agencies.” This policy applies to all Institutions (and their investigators) that receive Federal funding for life science research (funded by any source) involving the 15 agents and toxins and the seven types of experiments listed in the policy.

Consequently, Emory’s EHSO has generated the Policy for Oversight of Life Sciences DURC. This policy provides guidance regarding the responsibilities of the investigators and the Research Safety and Health Committee. We encourage the research community to become familiar with this policy. Please send any inquiries to: biosafe@emory.edu

Click here for the USG DURC Policy.

Click here for the Emory University Policy on DURC.