http://express.netforchange.com/cgi-bin/WebX.fcgi?50@168.WoODauIbeWU^0@.11b85473
   
   AMP: animal testing & terrorism
       
   MORE ANIMAL TESTING NEEDED TO COMBAT BIOTERRORISM
   November 21, 2001
   AMP (Americans for Medical Progress) News Service
   http://www.amprogress.org
   
   Gen. John Parker, commander of the U.S. Army research facility at Ft.
   Detrick, MD, told a Congressional committee this week that there is a
   critical shortage of labs, animals and expertise to conduct necessary
   research to counter bioterrorism. Parker told the House Committee on
   Government Reform that he would love to run many tests now to see if
   existing antibiotics and antiviral drugs would be effective against
   anthrax, smallpox and other highly contagious diseases that might be
   deliberately spread by bioterrorists. But, he said, there are few
   secure animal labs in the country to conduct experiments with such
   diseases as anthrax.
   
   At the same time Parker was testifying, however, universities were
   reporting substantially increased investments in security for labs
   working with anthrax. According to Science magazine, Northern Arizona
   University in Flagstaff, spent $50,000 last month on security
   improvements. Other universities, according to the Science report,
   were installing new locks, identification systems, motion detectors
   and cameras to protect their labs. Several also reported hiring guards.
   The Science article was published in the Nov. 16 edition and can be
   accessed on line by subscribers at
   http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/reprint/294/5546/1437a.pdf
   
   A spokesperson for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
   Disease said NIH would announce in the next few weeks 'several new
   initiatives' for bioterrorism research, including some for work with
   new drugs and vaccines.