(sent to AAAS members) Dear AAAS Member: As the anniversary of September 11th approaches, AAAS continues to be engaged in issues that relate to national security and the role of science and technology. One such issue is the safe and responsible conduct of research involving biological agents and toxins. AAAS was recently asked by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to assist in alerting our members to the federal mandate (Public Law 107-188) requiring all facilities and persons that possess, use, or transfer agents or toxins considered a threat to animals, plants, animal and plant products and/or public health (called "select agents") to notify the CDC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Approximately 200,000 facilities were sent a copy of the notification form by the CDC. The deadline for submitting a completed form to the CDC is September 10, 2002. All entities that receive a copy of the form must comply, even if they do not possess a select agent or toxin. If you are in possession of a select agent or toxin and did not receive a form, you should call CDC's toll-free number: 1-866-567-4232. Further information on the select agent list, procedures for notification, and exemptions can be found at the following websites: CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/lrsat.htm USDA: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ncie AAAS is initiating an effort to monitor the effects of new national security initiatives on the research community. In that regard, we'd be pleased to hear about your experience, whether positive or negative, in complying with this new federal mandate. You can forward such information to Dr. Mark Frankel, director of the AAAS Program on Scientific Freedom, Responsibility and Law at mfrankel@aaas.org Sincerely, Alan I. Leshner Chief Executive Officer