'Outsourcing' vaccine production leaves US unprotected.

[denem]

A follow up to the LBN thread. The US makes only 20% of the flu vaccines it uses. In other words, the productive capacity to make our own vaccines is not simply not here, it's gone overseas. In the worst case, the United States will be left cold.

"This isn't rocket science, ... If there is severe disease, countries will want to hang onto the vaccine for their own citizens" said Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

Swine flu is a relatively mild pandemic but there is talk of nations 'hanging onto vaccines for their own citizens'. Imagine a severe pandemic of influenza or anything else.

National Security is given as a reason for farm subsidies, but the US cannot afford self-sufficiency in vaccines?

AP 'Fight for swine flu vaccine could get ugly'.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i7gN7uEKsp5QNVnXNLF0JCVT6FOAD99FM

[aquart]

1. Outsourcing is a constant threat to national security.

It also makes it easy to poison the vaccine we import, doesn't it? Or just not care how it's made, like Chinese drywall.

[Strelnikov_]

2. unfuckingbelieveable n/t

[Vidar]

3. We should outsource our government while we're at it.

[OhioChick]

8. Hear, hear! n/t

[truedelphi]

9. Now there's an idea. But it might be difficult

To find people from other countries corrupt enough to handle what goes on in our government.

[LeftishBrit]

4. Same problem in the UK.

[denem]

6. Actually the Uk imports 100% of it's vaccines.

Bean counters.

[Skittles]

5. ARGH! I accidentally unrec when trying to rec!!!

please forgive me; I'll get this damn light bulb replaced today :o

[denem]

7. ...