About Us

The International Council for the Life Sciences (ICLS) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to enhancing global biological security and safety and reducing the risks of the misuse of the life sciences. Founded in December 2005, the membership-based ICLS provides a forum for the sustained engagement of the life sciences community and governments on a global basis. The ICLS operates internationally and works cooperatively to build networks to help reduce biological risks.

The ICLS has identified priority areas for enhancing biosafety and biosecurity.

• International best practices and standards,
• Curricula for biosecurity and biosafety,
• Shared language and common methodology for assessing biological risks regardless of origin,
• Specialized briefings for policy officials on the full spectrum of risks, and
• Building local and global networks of life scientists and policymakers.

Ongoing activities and partnerships are taking place in

• Russia
• Central Asia
• South Asia
• Middle East and North Africa