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Is Bioresearch Making Us Less Safe?

Scientist's suicide highlights easy access to burgeoning field

By Sam Biddle,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 3, 2008 9:59 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Bruce Ivins was one of a handful of scientists with access to deadly agents of biowarfare—until the 2001 anthrax attacks in which he was suspected. In the wake of the researcher's suicide, the New York Times takes a look at the nation’s bioterror infrastructure—which has ballooned in the last 7 years—and asks whether giving more people more access to dangerous pathogens is making us safer, or placing us at grave risk.

There are now hundreds of researchers at dozens of labs across the country at work on understanding dangerous germs and developing vaccines, but not all find that reassuring: “What the nation gets is a very expensive bill, less security, and a greater risk to the surrounding communities,” contends the chair of a House panel on bioterror lab safety.

Police talk with Diane Ivins, widow of Bruce E. Ivins, 62, who died Tuesday of an overdose of prescription Tylenol mixed with codeine, at their home, Friday, Aug. 1, 2008, in Frederick, Md.
Police talk with Diane Ivins, widow of Bruce E. Ivins, 62, who died Tuesday of an overdose of prescription Tylenol mixed with codeine, at their home, Friday, Aug. 1, 2008, in Frederick, Md.   (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
Bruce E. Ivins, a biodefense researcher is seen in 2003, at Fort Detrick, Md. Ivins, the scientist who was developing a vaccine to combat anthrax, died Tuesday.
Bruce E. Ivins, a biodefense researcher is seen in 2003, at Fort Detrick, Md. Ivins, the scientist who was developing a vaccine to combat anthrax, died Tuesday.   (AP Photo/Frederick News Post, Sam Yu)
This 2003 photo shows Dr. Bruce Ivins, a bio-defense researcher at Fort Detrick, Md., at an awards ceremony. Ivins, who was developing an anthrax vaccine, died Tuesday in an apparent suicide.
This 2003 photo shows Dr. Bruce Ivins, a bio-defense researcher at Fort Detrick, Md., at an awards ceremony. Ivins, who was developing an anthrax vaccine, died Tuesday in an apparent suicide.   (AP Photo/U.S.Army)
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Army refuses to comment on case
Associated Press

Ivins' former Ohio neighbors answer questions
Baltimore Sun

 
research • anthrax • Bruce Ivins • bioterrorism

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