Which statement correctly lists the USDA criteria used to determine Select Agents?

Which statement correctly lists the USDA criteria used to determine Select Agents?

• A. Effect of exposure on animal and plant health, and production and marketability (economic impact); Pathogenicity and transfer; availability of pharmacotherapies and prophylaxis; any other criteria deemed appropriate
• B. Only human health is considered
• C. Only economic impact is considered
• D. Only the geographic origin is considered

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that selecting Select Agents uses a multi-factor risk assessment, not a single-domain criterion. The correct statement reflects this by including: effects on animal and plant health and economic impact; pathogenicity and transmissibility; and the availability of pharmacotherapies and prophylaxis, plus room for other relevant criteria. This holistic approach captures how the program weighs health consequences, potential spread, and countermeasure options to judge threat level. The other options are narrower—focusing only on human health, only on economic impact, or only on geographic origin—and would miss important aspects of the risk profile used in determining select agents.

The key idea is that selecting Select Agents uses a multi-factor risk assessment, not a single-domain criterion. The correct statement reflects this by including: effects on animal and plant health and economic impact; pathogenicity and transmissibility; and the availability of pharmacotherapies and prophylaxis, plus room for other relevant criteria. This holistic approach captures how the program weighs health consequences, potential spread, and countermeasure options to judge threat level. The other options are narrower—focusing only on human health, only on economic impact, or only on geographic origin—and would miss important aspects of the risk profile used in determining select agents.