Report Doubts Low-Risk View of Kansas Biohazard Lab
Assoiated Press - Fri 10:48 AM 06/15/2012
National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility will be built in Manhattan
The National Research Council says the federal government is still seriously underestimating the risk of dangerous animal pathogens escaping from a planned biosecurity lab in Kansas.
The council says in a report issued Friday that there are serious flaws in a Department of Homeland Security analysis from earlier this year that deemed the risk of such a release from the proposed lab to be very low.
The group also cast doubt on the government's first assessment of the safety of the planned National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan near Kansas State University. The council says the DHS' latest evaluation underestimates the risk of human error causing a pathogen's release.
The group is a branch of the National Academy of Sciences, which is a private nonprofit that advises the government.
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Iamgonnagetu
Friday 15 June 2012 13:32 Report this comment
I have been saying this since our stupid politicians here in Kansas have been pushing this. Why on earth does anyone think moving a fortified unit placed on an island would be safe in Kansas near a major university. Seems even the Governor lacks intelligence in wanting to let this happen.
jn2630
Friday 15 June 2012 14:02 Report this comment
what is the incentive to have this in kansas? Surely it can't be more than a handful of jobs. And its not just near a university, this facility will border a barn where livestock are kept, and a research field where crops are grown. If something can go wrong, it will. At least on an island quarantine would be effective, much more difficult on mainland.
SD
Friday 15 June 2012 15:45 Report this comment
It seems to be all about the few $$$$ for Kansas. This is rarely mentioned in Kansas: the lab will eventually also study deadly human diseases such as ebola. The cost of moving the lb has now doubled to ONE BILLION dollars, for those who think $$$ is the most important thing in America. If this lab moves from Plum Island to Kansas, it will truly rank high on the list of most stupid decisions for America.
jn2630
Friday 15 June 2012 17:52 Report this comment
If there was a way to put the brakes on this project, I would like to know about it. I don't care how much money is already in it
Iamgonnagetu
Friday 15 June 2012 19:20 Report this comment
I guess we contact the governor in Kansas and our senators in the federal government. The best thing is to let others know as most people are not aware how dangerous this is.
spiderrk
Friday 15 June 2012 19:52 Report this comment
Leave it where it is. We don't want it! All the Government is doing is putting a bulls-eye on the state of Kansas, for bio-terrorists! Could you imagine a nightmare where something lethal is released in the middle of the United States next to a cross country highway?! Well, I can. This is insane! Don't put this here!
SD
Saturday 16 June 2012 12:08 Report this comment
Go to ljworld.com to read the comments on this (Saturday). The proposed lab will only be built to withstand and EF-2 tornado. Add this to the fact that Manhattan is sitting on a fault line and the Tuttlecreek dam is in very bad condition. This has terrifying potential.
buckstay
Saturday 16 June 2012 17:54 Report this comment
I really feel that this type of activity by our government has been in Kansas for a long time, it's just that people haven't known about it and the "waters are just being tested".