building boom on "hot labs" (germs) - much money from bushgang

[donsu]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=624&e=7&u=/ap/hot_labs

From Boston to Livermore, Calif., "hot labs" designed to combat bioterrorism and house the world's deadliest germs are being planned and constructed with a huge cash infusion from the federal government.

-snip-

Supporters of the unprecedented building boom say the new or expanded high-containment labs — there are at least 18 — are essential to national security in a post-Sept. 11 world.

But as the labs rise on college campuses and government installations across the country, so do concerns about safety and security.

-snip-

A growing number of scientists complain that the $6 billion earmarked by Congress for fighting bioterrorism is excessive, is being doled out with little oversight and is detracting from efforts to combat problems that are much more deadly — for example, AIDS (news - web sites) and malaria, which are already killing millions of people.

-snip-

Universities in Boston, Pittsburgh, Texas and elsewhere have already won grants to build labs, some in urban neighborhoods.
-snip-
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what's the rationale here? how can building bio labs protect against a bio attack? shouldn't the money be going to medical facilities instead?

there is a large gov.building in Maryland that has been sealed for ALL OF TIME because it became bio contaminated. Since everything degrades with time, so will this building.

I cringe at the thought of college kids having anything to do with these bio labs.

[AngryAmish]

1. Labs to study germs and test antibiotics

There was a bit on 60 Minutes last night about antibiotic resistant germs. Big pharma companies are not really willing to invest in antibiotics because of the lack of a large profit upside. Or that was I got out of it. I missed parts due to a pending meatloaf-related crisis I had to attend to.

[donsu]

2. but how much of a hand will the military have in this?

medical/health labs should be doing this research WITHOUT the military.

if the military has a hand in it then it is offensive work not defensive.

[AngryAmish]

3. I would hope no offensive work done

Leaving aside the obvious moral questions, I do not know how making bio-weapons would not attack us as well. (Well, anthrax spores but any infectious disease could be a doomsday-type weapon. I guess I should never have read "The Stand.")

[Norquist Nemesis]

5. Yeah. I thought of Captain Tripps when SARS broke out.

[damnraddem]

4. Oh, don't worry: nothing could go wrong with the new hot labs --

their systems are being designed by experienced engineers from the nuclear-power industry! ;-)