High-level biocontainment laboratories: risks and necessity for society

Advancements in the biological sciences have made it possible to manipulate life forms in unprecedented ways.. This activity, like working with pathogenic natural organisms is intrinsically dangerous. For this reason, countries have promoted the building of High Safety and High Containment Laboratories, classified as Biological Safety Levels 3 and 4. In this article I briefly summarize the major features of these laboratories, and exemplify some of the research that they host. I then highlight the possible dangers, and argue for the opportunity of a reduction of possibly dangerous research. I argue for more transparency and openness about activities that imply risks not only for those involved, but for human and environmental health as well.