Scientist Says Security at Biological Labs Lacking
Global Security Newswire
A Rutgers University microbiologist said Friday that security at U.S. laboratories has failed to keep up with biological defense projects being conducted at the facilities, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Feb. 21).
Richard Ebright said that regulations governing research into biological agents such as anthrax, tularemia and the plague are lagging behind other industries.
"The easiest way for al-Qaeda to obtain bioweapons agents would be to place someone in a U.S. bioweapons institution," he said during a biodefense seminar at Princeton University.
"This is something that needs to be prevented," Ebright added.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spokesman Von Roebuck disagreed, arguing that biodefense licensing procedures are effective and cover 300 research institutes.
"The safety measures are in place," he said. "These programs go through a review. To be registered, a lot of questions are asked, a lot of measures are looked at. ... This is taken very seriously."
Princeton molecular biologist Lynn Enquist agreed with Ebright's position, saying that he gave "a fairly accurate assessment" of risks at laboratories.
Laura Kahn, who organized the seminar, said the "macho kind of culture" in biodefense research must be eliminated. "They view accidents with a real laissez-faire attitude," she said (Associated Press/PhillyBurbs.com, March 11).
A Rutgers University microbiologist said Friday that security at U.S. laboratories has failed to keep up with biological defense projects being conducted at the facilities, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Feb. 21).
Richard Ebright said that regulations governing research into biological agents such as anthrax, tularemia and the plague are lagging behind other industries.
"The easiest way for al-Qaeda to obtain bioweapons agents would be to place someone in a U.S. bioweapons institution," he said during a biodefense seminar at Princeton University.
"This is something that needs to be prevented," Ebright added.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spokesman Von Roebuck disagreed, arguing that biodefense licensing procedures are effective and cover 300 research institutes.
"The safety measures are in place," he said. "These programs go through a review. To be registered, a lot of questions are asked, a lot of measures are looked at. ... This is taken very seriously."
Princeton molecular biologist Lynn Enquist agreed with Ebright's position, saying that he gave "a fairly accurate assessment" of risks at laboratories.
Laura Kahn, who organized the seminar, said the "macho kind of culture" in biodefense research must be eliminated. "They view accidents with a real laissez-faire attitude," she said (Associated Press/PhillyBurbs.com, March 11).
