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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.

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