The BU Biolab Essay -- Disaster Management

The rapid pace of vaccine development convinces people that they are safe from the infectious diseases. Unfortunately, the anthrax outbreak in 2001, having killed five people, reveals the vulnerability of the public health, suggesting that further research on contagious epidemics should be developed abruptly. In response to this issue, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) granted Boston University a $128 million funding for the construction of a new leading facility known as the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory (NEIDL or BU Biolab), which would be sited on the Boston University Medical Campus, to battle against contagious ailments. Besides conducting research on infectious diseases, the BU Biolab will also perform research to prepare for bioterrorism (Le Duc). According to the Center for Disease Control, there are four levels of increasing of containment for research on infections ranging from Biosafety Levels 1 through 4 (BSL-1 to BSL-4) . While much of the research on epidemics is done in laboratories with BSL-2 to BSL-3, the BU Biolab, with the highest level of precaution, BSL-4, will conduct research on rare contagious epidemics including anthrax, ebola, and plague, which are usually life threatening. Even though the construction of the BU Biolab was completed in 2008, no research is being conducted since the legal approval from the local community is required for the BU Biolab to fully operate at the BSL-4 research. One of the reasons that keeps local residents from approving is the concern regarding security and safety. As the study of dangerous infections with unknown cure will be taking place at the BU Biolab, the fear of deadly pathogens leaking rises among the public. The ... ...ing millions of lives around the world. Think of the bioterrorism attack using anthrax in 2001 and how it jeopardized the safety and security of the community. What would protect the community from this disastrous attack in the future? Works Cited Cataneo, Emily. â€Å"Tensions High at BU BioLab Meeting.† NEIDL 6 Oct. 2010. Web. 25 Feb. 2012. Hernandez, Gabrielle. â€Å"BU Biosafety Lab Ignites Critiques.† Tufts Daily. 20 Oct. 2009. Web. 25 Feb. 2012. Keith, Jean Hennelly. â€Å"Leading Lab for Biosafety.† Bostonia Winter 2003-2004: 22-25. Web. 25 Feb. 2012. Landry, Lauren. â€Å"Mayor Menino Approves the BU Biolab: Ebola and the Plague Head to the South End.† Web. 25 Feb. 2012 Le Duc, James W., et al. â€Å"Framework for Leadership and Training of Biosafety Level 4 Laboratory Workers.† Emerging Infectious Diseases 14.11 (2008): 1685-1688. Web. 25 Feb. 2012.