Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever Total cost: $23.60 »

GAO Slams Feds for Plan to Build Disease Lab in Tornado Alley

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 27, 2009 7:59 AM CDT

(Newser) – A Homeland Security plan to build a $700 million lab handling highly infectious animal diseases in Kansas' 'Tornado Alley' probably isn't the best idea it's had, the Washington Post reports. A withering report from the Government Accountability Office found that the DHS based its decision on a flawed, hastily done study that grossly underestimated the chances of pathogens infecting livestock if the lab was built in Kansas or elsewhere on the US mainland.

"They call it 'Tornado Alley' for a reason," says an attorney for a consortium that hoped to bring the facility to Texas. "This really boils down to politics at its very worst and public officials who are more concerned about erecting some gleaming new research building than thinking about what's best for the general public." The new lab is to replace an aging facility on an island off New York state.

This May 5, 2007  photo shows widespread destruction in Greensburg, Kan. after the city was destroyed by a tornado.
This May 5, 2007 photo shows widespread destruction in Greensburg, Kan. after the city was destroyed by a tornado.   (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
Dead cattle are sprayed with disinfectant  following a foot and mouth outbreak in Britain. Critics fear siting an animal disease research center in the US heartland could lead to more outbreaks.
Dead cattle are sprayed with disinfectant following a foot and mouth outbreak in Britain. Critics fear siting an animal disease research center in the US heartland could lead to more outbreaks.   (AP Photo / Owen Humphreys/PA)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Drawing conclusions about relocating research with highly infectious exotic animal pathogens from questionable methodology could result in regrettable consequences. - Draft report from the Government Accountability Office

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
kokuaguy
Jul 28, 2009 12:30 PM CDT
There's a boat load of stuff that needs to be worried about when making a decision like this. Thank God for the GAO. How about a Medal of Freedom for these public servants? Maybe this facility should go in that billion dollar boondoggle of a hole in the ground that was built in Nevada for waste from nuclear power plants. If Harry Reid will allow it, of course.
Shannonals
Jul 27, 2009 10:59 AM CDT
I lived in Topkea for four years, never saw a tornado, it's the F-5 winds you have to worry about.
BlahBlahBlah
Jul 27, 2009 7:13 AM CDT
I am just scared, this is our government. Yep, we are all doomed!

More Newser Stories

Watchdog: Airport Errors Soaring

Homeland Security Blowing $300M on Sketchy Scanners

Swine Flu-Wary Telecommuters Could Floor Internet

Sleazy Middlemen Stiff Homeowners Trying to Refi

Grave Lack of Security at Fed Buildings: GAO


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne