U.S. labs mishandling deadly germs --Confidential reports submitted to federal regulators describe 'accidents' involving anthrax, bird flu virus, monkeypox and plague-causing bacteria at 44 labs in 24 states.
U.S. labs mishandling deadly germs --Confidential reports submitted to federal regulators describe 'accidents' involving anthrax, bird flu virus, monkeypox and plague-causing bacteria at 44 labs in 24 states. 02 Oct 2007 American laboratories handling the world's deadliest germs and toxins have experienced more than 100 accidents and missing shipments since 2003, and the number is increasing steadily as more labs across the country are approved to do the work. The documented cases reflect poorly on procedures and oversight at high-security labs, some of which work with organisms and poisons so dangerous that illnesses they cause have no cure. [See: Flu 'Oddities' from CLG, Making Killer Flu 12 Jun 2007, Killer flu recreated in the lab 07 Oct 2004, and DoD to 'augment civilian law' during pandemic or bioterror attack 11 May 2007.]