Not-In-My-Backyard Furor Erupts Over University of Washington's Plans to Build $64 Million Regional Biodefense Lab

---

Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). The University of Washington (UW) (Seattle, Washington) hopes to build the West Coast's first National Institutes of Health (NIH) Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory. The 57,000 square foot lab would be part of a planned network of NIH-sponsored regional biodefense labs that study dangerous pathogens, including anthrax and the plague. Emerging infectious diseases, such as avian flu and SARS, would also be researched. While finding cures for these horrific ailments is obviously a good thing, there are some very vocal opponents to the plan.

As projects of this type have been announced at universities across the country, almost every single one has met with resistance. According to Annette Kreuger, Industrialinfo.com Pharmaceutical-Biotech Manager, "Even those bio-lab additions planned for existing research sites run by the government, such as Hamilton, Montana, have made the locals restless. It seems that while most people would agree that research of this type is needed, they are questioning the wisdom of building so many labs that would be studying truly deadly germs all over the country."

"While the jobs and possible collateral commercial growth these projects offer are attractive, the fear of having ebola in the neighborhood is rallying the troops to shoot these projects down." Kreuger continues. "Yet, for all of its consistency, the opposition hasn't been very successful. Except for plans being scrapped for a BioSafety Level-4 lab at the University of California Davis, most of these labs are under construction now, or will be within a couple of years."

UW has heard from both area residents and faculty members concerned about the safety of the proposed lab and what the disclosure policies regarding accidents will ultimately be. Fears have also been raised that such a lab would make the area a possible target for terrorists. The school has been accused of being secretive in its application for $25 million in federal funds to help pay for the $64 million project, as was reported by Industrialinfo.com in January 2005. The remainder of the project's cost would be sought from state and private sources.

In response to opponents of the project, which have grown in number since the beginning of this year, UW has held several public forums in an attempt to alleviate any concerns. As the NIH will not make its decision regarding funding for the lab until later in 2005, UW is currently uncertain whether it will ultimately proceed with the project.

View Plant Profile - 1061050 1058984 1059066
View Project Report - 21001327 47000254 06003952

Industrialinfo.com is the leading provider of global industrial market research. We specialize in helping companies develop information solutions to maximize their sales and marketing efforts.