Biosecurity Concept: Origins, Evolution and Perspectives

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The term biosecurity first referred to biological weapons and bio-terrorism. It is now used in diverse sectors including biological laboratory risks and infectious disease prevention in both animal and public health. Therefore, several definitions and understandings of the term biosecurity co-exist. This commentary aims to describe the evolution of the biosecurity concept over the years and discuss its possible future. ABSTRACT: Originally used in reference to the management of biological weapons and bio-terrorism, the term biosecurity was first used in the agricultural sector in the 1980s as “the sum of risk management practices in the defence against biological threats”. This term was then taken up in different strategic documents of different organisations, so multiple definitions and understandings co-exist. This short communication reviews the origins and evolution of the biosecurity concept and discusses the future perspectives of biosecurity in regard to the One Health Approach and the changing environment.