Tuesday, February 16, 2010

BSL-4

Okay, one last post on last week's topic - biosafety.

Popular Mechanics magazine had an article about Biosafety labs in May last year. In particular they got a look at the new $105 million BSL-4 facility at Fort Detrick.

The first rule in any fight is to know the enemy—and that places this outwardly normal office building on the front line of a war against invisible foes that can mutate into more powerful strains. Jahrling, one of the nation’s most seasoned virus hunters, has no illusions as to which organisms have the upper hand: “The bugs are always one step ahead.”


There is no mention in the article of the fact that Fort Detrick was the source of the anthrax used in the 2001 anthrax attacks. It didn't 'escape' from the building, it was deliberately removed by a scientist who worked there. I presume that there are now new procedures in place to prevent this happening again. At least I hope so.

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