Scientists Call for Further Study of Safety of Boston Biolab

May 6, 2008

An elite panel of scientists is urging the federal government to take a deeper look at the safety of a proposed biolab in Boston that would study the world's most dangerous germs.

The recommendation comes from the National Research Council. If the government takes the advice, the lab's opening would be delayed, though officials were uncertain how long.

Boston University won a competition in 2003 to open the controversial $200 million lab, which would study the germs to protect the country against bioterrorism.

But the project is opposed by local residents and environmentalists.

The research council last fall criticized the project's safety reviews. The government then sought the council's guidance on how safety reviews should be conducted.

The council said a far more detailed analysis of the risk of lethal germs leaking from the lab was needed.

___

Information from: The Boston Globe, http://www.boston.com/globe