Some biomedical research, for example that which involves the use of pathogens, toxins and potentially harmful organisms, agents and substances, while having potential to greatly benefit society, carries the risk that the research outcomes or technologies could be deliberately misused or unintentionally result in harm (either by accident or as a consequence of unintended outcomes of the research).
Applicants are required to consider the biological (for example, genetic risks) and environmental risks associated with their proposed research and detail how they will be mitigated.
For more information, refer to MRC’s policy statement on managing the risks of research misuse.