Final answer:
The U.S. has specific policies in place to regulate biological assets, from ensuring ethical usage by pharmaceutical companies to safeguarding against bioterrorism. Key regulations include those deriving from the Convention on Biological Diversity and U.S. laws such as the AWA and PHS Policy. These policies collectively aim to manage bioethical concerns, research animal welfare, and the biosecurity of potentially dangerous biological materials.
Step-by-step explanation:
U.S. Policy on the Use of Biological Assets
The current U.S. policy regarding the use of biological assets, specifically in the context of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, involves a complex set of regulations designed to ensure ethical practice, safe use, and the prevention of biological threats. The Convention on Biological Diversity of 1993 established that nations have rights to genetic and biological materials found within their territories, requiring companies to arrange for compensation when collecting such resources. This is part of a wider framework of biosecurity policies that include the regulation of biomedical research animals through the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy).
Post-September 11 policies also heightened concerns about the use and regulation of biological agents that could be used as weapons. Since then, significant attention has been paid to securing any biological assets that could pose a threat, as exemplified by the two remaining stocks of smallpox being heavily guarded in Siberia and Atlanta. In addition to biosecurity measures aimed at prevention, the United States has established regulatory frameworks for biological products under the 1902 Biologics Control Act and the 1944 Public Health Service Act, with the FDA overseeing these regulations since 1972.