U.K. Tightens Laboratory Security

The United Kingdom has moved to secure dangerous bacteria and viruses held in British laboratories in response to reports that terrorists were seeking deadly biological agents to use in weapons, the London Times reported today (see GSN, Jan. 25).

In April, British officials added 40 agents to the list covered by the Antiterrorism, Crime and Security Act of 2001.  Additions included the viruses that produce polio, rabies and West Nile fever. The law requires laboratories that handle the deadly agents to log all people entering and leaving their facilities, and to use electronic locks and alarm systems to secure the controlled pathogens.

British rules also require laboratories to verify the backgrounds of their personnel by checking references, verifying their employment history and obtaining information on past criminal convictions.

The security changes were triggered in part by a British intelligence service report finding that terrorists were actively seeking biological agents as well as nuclear, chemical and radiological materials for use in attacks (Nigel Hawkes, London Times, July 6).

At least eight people arrested in the wake of would-be terrorist attacks last week in London and Glasgow were medical professionals, the New York Times reported Wednesday (Landler/Lyall, New York Times, July 4).

In the past, al-Qaeda has recruited scientists such as Pakistani microbiologist Abdur Rauf, who traveled through Europe in search of anthrax spores and equipment to turn them into weapons, David Wright, chief executive officer of U.S. biodefense company PharmAthene, said in a statement.

“Given their training in life sciences, it’s not a stretch of the imagination to believe that they may soon graduate from vehicle bombs to bioweapons” (Business Wire, July 5).

Back to top
About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines © Copyright 2008 by National Journal Group, Inc. The material in this section is produced independently for NTI by National Journal Group, Inc. Any reproduction or retransmission, in whole or in part, is a violation of federal law and is strictly prohibited without the consent of the National Journal Group, Inc. All rights reserved.