Biolab Risks

[Guest guest]

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/opinion/display_columnist.htm?StoryID=\

74188

Frederick County's commissioners were offered an easier choice in confronting

concerns about a new biolab at Fort Detrick. But that doesn't imply it won't

come at a cost, and for that they deserve our praise.

For more than a year, commissioners dutifully heard arguments for a court

review of an environmental study that didn't fully address the potential

catastrophic hazards posed by tens of thousands of square feet of BSL-4 biolabs,

and hundreds of thousands of square feet of BSL-2 and -3 labs. At times, it

must've seemed an onerous distraction from their budget, trash and land-use

quandaries, and they probably resented the intrusion. They understand the

role that Detrick has played historically and economically in the county, and

some have longtime associations with people who work at Detrick. Besides, what

local government body wants to pick a fight with the U.S. Army and Congress,

particularly in a federal courtroom? The best outcome expected from such a

battle is a lengthy delay until smarter heads in Washington can prevail.

That's too much of a gamble. Thanks to the informed and sustained efforts

of residents, the commissioners found a more palatable

and meaningful way to assess the serious threat to the public safety and

welfare, one with the potential to put the brakes on the growth of biolabs at

USAMRIID. With Sen. Barbara Mikulski's full endorsement, commissioners now

look to the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate the safety of housing

deadly pathogens with no vaccine or cure in the heart of a densely populated

city. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that this type

of facility should be constructed in an isolated location. The actions of

the commissioners in seeking input from NAS are especially timely, and their

concerns, as well as those of a growing number of residents, cannot be brushed

aside as alarmist overreaction. Detrick insiders protest Detrick knows its

job when it comes to containment and security. But well-documented breaches have

occurred at Detrick over the years, incidents publicized in the local and

national press, underscoring the wisdom and necessity

of the commissioners' action. FOX News reported last month that the FBI

has narrowed its focus to " about four suspects, " at least three of whom are

linked to USAMRIID, including a former deputy commander, a leading anthrax

scientist and a microbiologist. FOX talked to a bioterrorism expert who

said the Detrick link points out " serious security deficiencies ... the ability

of researchers to smuggle out some type of very sophisticated anthrax weapon and

in some quantity. " This revelation goes far beyond calling into question

security at Detrick. This revelation amounts to official acknowledgement that

the anthrax letters could be an inside job whose purpose is reflected in the

following statement by former USAMRIID commander Frantz, as reported by

ABC News in 2002: " I think a lot of good has come from [the anthrax attacks].

From a biological or a medical standpoint, we've now five people who have died,

but we've put about $6 billion in our budget into

defending against bioterrorism. " The Frederick Citizens for Biolab Safety

will meet regarding the National Academy of Sciences safety review of USAMRIID

from 7 to 8:45 p.m. April 28 and April 29 at C. Burr Artz Library. Participants

will discuss benefits of the study, the process, and the important role

residents will continue to play. kheerbrandt@...

Randi J. Airola, © 517-819-5926