Don't look now - Foot and Mouth Disease type Lab moving from Plum Island to US Mainland

[shance]

New lab planned amid Britain's foot & mouth outbreaks


http://www.ktre.com/Global/story.asp?S=7155718&nav=2FH5

Associated Press - October 2, 2007 5:35 AM ET

WASHINGTON (AP) - The recent spread of a deadly livestock disease from a biolab campus in Britain has not stopped American officials from considering building a new animal disease research lab in the United States.

Department of Homeland Security officials are proceeding with plans to move a similar lab from Plum Island, New York, to 1 of 5 sites on the U.S. mainland, including San Antonio.

U.S. livestock and cattle groups have generally supported plans for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility -- even if it means moving the research to states heavy with livestock.

But Ross Wilson, head of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, says his group has been rethinking its support since the British outbreaks.

His group represents 5,000 cattle feeders in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, an area that the group says is the largest cattle feeding region in America.


On the Net: Department of Homeland Security: http://www.nbaf.gov

[monktonman]

1. How much you wanna bet Ross Wilson voted for Bitch?

[Kool Kitty]

2. Dear God-

this doesn't sound like a good idea to me. I read a book about Plum Island a couple of years ago, "Lab 257" was the title, I think. Scary stuff.

[shance]

4. 'Some' people in the government seem to think its a wonderful idea.

No, of course its not a good idea, unless you're thinking of creating a little outbreak.

[grasswire]

6. there was also a novel...

...titled just "Plum Island." A mystery.

[greatauntoftriplets]

8. I'm reading that book right now.

A great read!

[grasswire]

3. my ancestors were the lighthousekeepers on Plum Island...

...many, many, many years ago, for two generations. I wonder if that land will ever be opened to the public. I wonder if the lighthouse is still standing.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. It's still there, and I think this is a good idea since...

I now live about 15 miles downwind of Plum Island.

[grasswire]

7. lucky you

...well, not lucky in what the wind carries, but geographically that's a sweet place to be.

[shance]

9. So what can we do about this?

n/t

[shance]

10. Another evening kick - important stuff

n/t