Protecting yourself when leaving PhD which involves misrepresentation of results and potentially unsafe bio-containment procedures?
I would strongly consider whistle-blowing (internal, within your organization) in this particular situation.

There are many reasons (good, bad, and hybrid) that lead people to the decision of becoming whistle-blowers: plain vanilla ethics, the desire for power &amp; attention, willingness to protect others, legal requirements, etc. However, protecting yourself by whistle-blowing is a totally legitimate reason. 

Whistle-blowing comes with some potential consequences, but here are the reasons why you might incline towards doing it:


you already made a decision to quit your program: thus, the situation influenced you (and other group members) heavily;
you already decided to switch the field of study;
this story can have direct consequences as bio-material is involved. There are very good reasons why special regulations exist for working with such materials;
the fact that the wrong-doing is happening has documental evidence: lack of the permit that is required.


If you decide to proceed, be careful in terms of the facts you present. Try to be as objective as possible without adding unnecessary emotions. Make sure that you present the facts with as little interpretation of your own as possible. Let the knife do the work facts speak for themselves.