Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.
------------------------------------------------------------
February 24, 2003
U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"New Antiterror Laws Curbing Disease Research"
Miami Herald (www.miami.com) (02/23/03) P. A1; Dorschner, John
America's war against terrorism is hindering research efforts on biological agents. New federal bioterrorism laws now require that researchers report the bioterrorism agents they are investigating to the federal government and place the expense of building secure facilities to house the agents on them. The requirements, which researchers and universities complain are onerous, are causing many scientists to throw in the towel and destroy their work. Dave Daigle of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention insists the federal government does not want to frustrate research efforts into bioterrorism agents, but he says security is the primary motive for the regulations. "We have some serious agents out there, and we have to make sure they don't fall into the wrong hands", Daigle said. Even so, scientists say there has to be a less restrictive way the government can enforce these regulations, and they note as the United States inches closer to a confrontation with Iraq, a country with a history of engaging in germ warfare, their research into biological agents is more important than ever.
ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND
MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS
OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.