Public Forum on the BU proposed Bioterrorism Lab

[Ian David]

Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 07:37:09 -0800 (PST) 10:37:09 AM EST
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: brookline-announce Forum: BU Bioweapons Lab, Wed 2/16, 6:30

Public Forum on the BU proposed Bioterrorism Lab
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
6:30-8:30 PM

Harriet Tubman House
566 Columbus Ave. (corner of Columbus and Mass. Aves. in the South End)
Boston, MA 02118

Speakers: Patricia Hynes, Professor, BU School of Public Health
Daniel Goodenough, Professor, Harvard Medical School
Alice Furumoto-Dawson, Ph.D., Harvard School of Public Health

There will be a short presentation by the speakers, followed by a question and answer session. Topics will include what the recent infection of BU lab workers with tularemia, a bioterrorism agent, tells us about BU's ability to control deadly and highly contagious disease agents. The speakers will also discuss BU's "worst-case" scenario for the neighborhood.

[WindRavenX]

1. No way should it be built

There was a highly publicized incident where two researchers "accidentally" injected themselves with a nasty virus...
Having that shit in downtown Boston is beyond foolish.

[ohkay]

2. Dude.

I know you're a BC alum and all, but are you talking about the people who were exposed to Tularmia? Did you read the Globe article and that's it?

Ok- want to know what really happened? two guys got exposed to Tularemia, which is a mid level nasty. If left untreated, Tularemia exposure leads to flu-like symptoms. It's not fatal unless EATEN in mass quantities. BU told the CDC, immediately, and the CDC then told the public two months later, and then the Globe freaked out because BU didn't hold a press conference.

This stuff- not so dangerous. The Boston Globe- hates BU with a passion. hates HATES John Silber, and never resists the chance to smudge the school.


The bio lab- I'm not so sure about it.

[WindRavenX]

3. No, there was a seperate incident

We're talking REALLY nasty shit that had these guys hospitalized- stuff that really should be not around in a metro area.
We do need bio labs, but not in bloody downtown Boston...It's just not a good idea, IMO.

[ohkay]

4. Really?

I haven't heard about that. Do you have info? I get defensive when I see the "BU brings anthrax to Boston" stickers everywhere, because- Calm down on the rhetoric Carl Rove, but I am interested to hear what you think an alternative would be.

The city desperately needs more bio tech funds, and barring an outbreak like "The Stand", I think they would have enough security.

[curse10]

5. I live a few blocks away from this ticking bomb

I'm against it on several levels. One, the possible danger to it being right in the middle of a major fucking city (hello! lots of room outside the city! and cheaper real estate!) and Two, the horrendous shit they do to animals all in the name of "science"

[paineinthearse]

6. Any info on the Tufts lab?

I hear that Tufts is proposing to build something similar at their vet school in Grafton. PM if you have any news.