Which organization is responsible for establishing biosafety guidelines in the United States?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plays a crucial role in establishing and promoting guidelines related to biosafety in the United States, particularly concerning public health and infectious diseases. The CDC develops policies and provides resources aimed at protecting public health by defining best practices for handling biological materials, including pathogens and toxins. This includes rigorous protocols for laboratories and healthcare settings to prevent exposure and transmission of infectious agents.

While other organizations such as the NIH and EPA address research and environmental impacts, respectively, their scope is broader and not solely focused on biosafety. The NIH does contribute to biosafety guidelines, especially regarding research involving recombinant DNA, but it operates in conjunction with the CDC. The WHO, while influential globally in health, does not set guidelines specific to the U.S.; rather, it provides international recommendations. Thus, the CDC stands out as the primary organization dedicated to establishing and enforcing biosafety standards domestically.