U.S. Approves Boston Infectious Disease Lab

The U.S. National Institutes of Health yesterday approved a plan to build an infectious disease research laboratory in Boston, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, July 12, 2005).

Boston University will operate the Biosafety Level 4 facility, which would join a group of U.S. laboratories in studying infectious diseases such as West Nile virus, Ebola, and those that might be used by bioterrorists.

Critics have blasted the plan to build the laboratory in a residential neighborhood.

Construction is expected to begin this month and be completed in 2008. Boston University estimates that the laboratory over two decades will produce more than 650 new jobs and nearly $3 billion for the local economy.

“We are proud to be part of the national network of dedicated scientists and researchers who will use this state-of-the-art facility to safely find treatments and cures for some of the most dangerous infectious diseases that threaten Boston, the nation and the world,” said the laboratory’s lead investigator, Mark Klempner (Brandie Jefferson, Associated Press/ABC News, Feb. 3).

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