Lax biosecurity at laboratories is worrying researchers and regulators that potential select agents may have fallen into the hands of malevolent parties . It may have been instrumental to the 2001 anthrax attacks in the United States . Universities sometimes flout regulations , complacent as to the dangers in doing so . Though the majority of breaches are benign , the hybridization of hepatitis C and dengue-fever viruses at Imperial College London in 1997 resulted in a fine when health and safety rules were not observed . A research program at Texas A&M University was shut down when '' Brucella '' and '' Coxiella '' infections were not reported . That the July 2007 terrorist attacks in central London and at Glasgow airport may have involved National Health Service medical professionals was a recent wake-up call that screening people with access to pathogens may be necessary . The challenge remains to maintain security without impairing the contributions to progress afforded by research
2001 anthrax attacks
2001 anthrax attacks
Dual-use technology