Which of the following is NOT a CDC criterion for assessing a Select Agent?

• A. Effect on human health of exposure
• B. Degree of contagiousness and transfer methods
• C. Availability and effectiveness of pharmacotherapies and immunizations
• D. Taxonomic classification of the organism

Answer: (D)

Assessing whether something is a Select Agent centers on the risk it poses to public health and the ability to counter it, not on how the organism is classified scientifically. The criteria look at how harmful exposure is to humans, how easily the agent can spread or be transferred, and whether there are effective medical countermeasures such as drugs or vaccines. These factors directly inform how tightly the agent should be regulated and secured. Taxonomic classification, while useful for identification and scientific study, does not indicate the level of threat or the need for heightened controls, so it isn’t used as a criterion for selecting Select Agents.