Recently, DHS confirmed the answers to some frequently asked questions:
Will the NBAF do bioweapons research? Absolutely not. This type of research is prohibited by the International Biological Weapons Convention, which the United States signed in 1975.
Will the NBAF work on human diseases? No. The NBAF will work on animal diseases, including zoonotic diseases.
Will the NBAF do “classified” research? There will be no classified work at the NBAF.
Will there be armed guards at the NBAF? The NBAF will have the level of security typical of federal facilities working on potentially hazardous agents, including the level 4 biocontainment buildings at the CDC. DHS has estimated that the NBAF will have 50 armed guards.
Who will manage the NBAF? Decisions have not yet been made about who will manage the NBAF (DHS, or a private entity).
What is the role of USDA at the NBAF? USDA will be the primary tenant at the NBAF, as it is at Plum Island.
