Section 4-4-69. Regulation of manufacture and use of disease vectors

   (a) As used in this Code section, the term "disease vector" means any agent or material which has the power to produce or spread disease in livestock.

(b) No experimental or research work, except at or under the direction of the College of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Georgia, the Georgia Poultry Improvement Association Laboratory, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences of the University of Georgia, and the state agricultural experiment stations, shall be carried on in this state with any live virus or any other disease vector. No such virus or disease vector shall be manufactured or distributed in this state except under permit issued by the Commissioner and conditioned, as in his judgment necessary, to prevent the spread of such disease.

(c) This Code section shall not apply to the county health departments, the Department of Public Health, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, accredited medical and dental colleges and universities, approved hospitals, approved medical centers, or foundations engaged in medical research, diagnosis, or treatment of the diseases of man.

Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 480, § 18; Ga. L. 1995, p. 10, § 4; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 1-4/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 705, § 6-3/HB 214.