Concern About Increase In Number Of High Security Bio-Labs
By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The CDC is reviewing its safety procedures at high-security labs, some of which had to be closed after a release of anthrax and bird flu. Now, they're getting input from the medical community.
A few weeks ago there was a great deal of concern about a safety lab at the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention and NIH Labs.
According to an article in the Annals of Internal Medicine, this is a major issue that needs to be examined.
That's because there has been a proliferation of what are called "High Biosafety Level Labs" since September 11th.
They say that proliferation has primarily occurred in areas where there is research on organisms that cause serious disease. These are called Level 3 facilities.
There's also been an increase in level 4 facilities, those that work with deadly organisms for which there are no effective treatments or vaccines.
Back in 2009, the US Government Accountability Office also raised concerns about the increase in number and safety lapses at these facilities.