Tracking the next pandemic: Avian Flu Talk |
Midnight massacre at the NSABB after smallpox etc. |
Post Reply |
Author | |
CRS, DrPH
Expert Level Adviser Joined: January 20 2014 Location: Arizona Status: Offline Points: 26660 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: July 15 2014 at 7:20am |
http://news.sciencemag.org/biology/2014/07/u-s-biosafety-panel-come-out-hibernation-new-members?rss=1
On
the heels of several mishaps involving deadly pathogens, U.S. officials
are reconvening an expert advisory panel that hasn’t met in nearly 2
years. But the government has also dismissed 11 of the original members
of the 23-person panel, called the National Science Advisory Board for
Biosecurity (NSABB).
“We had no inkling it was going to happen this way,” says Paul Keim, a pathogen genomics researcher at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff who formerly chaired NSABB and has been on the panel since it was formed in 2005. The 11 members learned they were being dismissed Sunday evening in an e-mail from the board’s executive director, Mary Groesch, who works at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), NSABB’s overseer. The e-mail prompted this tweet from NSABB member Michael Imperiale of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor: “#NIH just gave remaining inaugural NSABB members pink sheets. Bizarre time to eliminate all institutional memory.” === (personally, I think it was essential to clean house & make this a national priority. The Government and universities have been far to lax in handling infectious materials and conducting ill-advised and dangerous experiments!) |
|
CRS, DrPH
|
|
onefluover
Admin Group Joined: April 21 2013 Location: Death Valleyish Status: Offline Points: 20151 |
Post Options
Thanks(1)
|
I hereby nominate Dr. Charles R Stack to head the replacement team. |
|
"And then there were none."
|
|
Utwig
V.I.P. Member Joined: June 02 2013 Status: Offline Points: 2210 |
Post Options
Thanks(1)
|
I doubt Dr Charles would ever even consider using ziploc bags for anything that has the word 'virus' in it.
Second that, everything onefluover said, absolutely. Utwig. |
|
Remember to get your whole head in front of the shotgun!
|
|
CRS, DrPH
Expert Level Adviser Joined: January 20 2014 Location: Arizona Status: Offline Points: 26660 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Thank you for your confidence! I have offered to serve in an advisory role from distance. However, as most of you gather, I can be a royal pain in the ass and have little time for university politics when they impact the health of students or the public, so I would be under-cut in my attempts to tighten things up. Right now, I'm applying a ton of pressure on the Univ of Wisconsin regarding the ill-advised "Gain of Function" experiments, performed by Dr. Kawaoka. This editorial helps to confirm that I'm on the right path: Max Rosenbaum: Beware of risky flu virus researchJune 29, 2014 8:48 am • MAX ROSENBAUM I strongly concur with the epidemiologists from Harvard and Yale who warned about the potential release of a possible virulent virus in the June 12 article about UW-Madison flu research. State Journal reporter David Wahlberg reported that UW-Madison scientist Yoshihiro Kawaoka has created another potentially deadly flu virus in his lab at University Research Park. A 3.5 biocontainment lab can be sufficiently safe, but only if frequently and efficiently inspected by certified people. Unlike similar experiments conducted in the secure bowels of Erasmus University in the Netherlands, professor Kawaoka’s work is being carried out in a laboratory at University Research Park, a commercial complex of biotechnology businesses. As a former UW-Madison biosafety director, I have strong objections to the conduct of research involving Biosafety Level 3 pathogenic agents, let alone a new entity which should be done under Biosafety Level 4 containment labs such as those at Ft. Detrick in Maryland and Ames, Iowa. This kind of research should not be done in a site that is adjacent to several health care facilities, a child care operation and nearby housing. I have previously requested permission to visit professor Kawahara’s lab. I have been denied access, as has Jack Wunder, a distinguished and retired UW biosafety engineer. We wanted to satisfy our concerns as outside evaluators. Were university officials afraid we might be too critical? We have no wish to denigrate the work of a distinguished scientist. But this project involves the creation of a new flu virus of uncertain benefits and high risk. This may be the case of the right time but in the wrong place. Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/opinion/column/guest/max-rosenbaum-beware-of-risky-flu-virus-research/article_19fb7b70-695e-514a-9dd6-3e4dd1f898df.html#ixzz37XsJniRr |
|
CRS, DrPH
|
|
onefluover
Admin Group Joined: April 21 2013 Location: Death Valleyish Status: Offline Points: 20151 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I know. I kind of figured that. I was half joking anyway. Besides; nominated by "Onefluover"? See how far that gets you.
|
|
"And then there were none."
|
|
Technophobe
Assistant Admin Joined: January 16 2014 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 88450 |
Post Options
Thanks(1)
|
I'm not joking. Chuck would have my vote.
|
|
How do you tell if a politician is lying?
His lips or pen are moving. |
|
Technophobe
Assistant Admin Joined: January 16 2014 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 88450 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Sorry Chuck!
But, there is an old Roman proverb which states that those who most want to rule are those least suited to do so. I think the converse is probably true as well. I'd start a campain if I thought it would do any good. You might not want the job but you would have public confidence. |
|
How do you tell if a politician is lying?
His lips or pen are moving. |
|
onefluover
Admin Group Joined: April 21 2013 Location: Death Valleyish Status: Offline Points: 20151 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I meant "half joking" only in so far as I obviously lack the kind of credibility to officially make such a nomination/recommendation. Chuck knows this. We all know this. Billy overcame his size is far out of my grasp. Of course he has my vote too! But realistically, Chuck has such a long and richly colorful history and knowledge in all of this stuff -as well as political history, both right and left, I think he would be best suited to head more like the CDC. To keep my dirty tainted hands off such an important issue, I will leave it up to someone like yourself to promote that. Whoever is director of the CDC that replaced Gerberding, I don't even know their name, has some "splainin" to do.
|
|
"And then there were none."
|
|
Utwig
V.I.P. Member Joined: June 02 2013 Status: Offline Points: 2210 |
Post Options
Thanks(1)
|
Maybe its time for someone who has little time for politics to take charge. When things like the survival of our entire species is at stake, personally I would prefer not to have politicians involved., but I know they are a nesseccary evil.
What would be the best way to show support? What agencies need to be written to, what kinds of letters to our elected members would carry the most weight? This is unfamiliar territory to me, where is the best source of information about how to apply pressure in the right way to see something like this through? Utwig |
|
Remember to get your whole head in front of the shotgun!
|
|
CRS, DrPH
Expert Level Adviser Joined: January 20 2014 Location: Arizona Status: Offline Points: 26660 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Thanks, all! I would not want the headaches that come with being Director of the CDC... as much as I admire them, there is a lot wrong with the lead agency for public health in the USA.
If I had any power, I would want a "top to bottom" review of all biological materials kept in all freezers in all research institutions. One of my friends at CDC says it is likely that there are more frozen smallpox samples laying around, not to mention human scabs (used for variolation) sitting in envelopes, perhaps in museum collections. One member of the virology community said, rather lightly, that "virologists are pack rats." I'd end that post haste. If some specimen has value, fine, justify it in writing, keep a tiny sample and autoclave the rest. BTW, I don't agree that the remaining known samples of smallpox (at CDC and Russia labs) should be discarded, completely destroying the organism. Just because we think we know everything we might need to know about variola doesn't mean that this could change with scientific advancements. When the last samples are gone, they are gone forever. Be safe, there is a bureaucratic war building, and we have ring-side seats. Guys like Kawaoka are going to be very surprised with the likely outcomes. I think his materials should be seized, samples destroyed, and labs locked. Just sayin', I don't have the job yet. Others agree with me, I am not worthy to carry Dr. Plotkin's luggage at the airport: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/us-scientist-professor-yoshihiro-kawaokas-mutated-h1n1-flu-virus-poses-a-threat-to-human-population-if-it-should-escape-says-critic-9587952.html
|
|
CRS, DrPH
|
|
CRS, DrPH
Expert Level Adviser Joined: January 20 2014 Location: Arizona Status: Offline Points: 26660 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Thank you, Utwig, Your question is timed perfectly. The House Sub-Committee on Oversight and Investigations is taking this matter up as we speak, with a hearing scheduled on July 16, 2014. See: I've already faxed the Chair, Rep. Murphy, and Representatives from my own state who are on the full Energy & Commerce Committee. Go to the website and find your Representatives, and then call, or fax, or email your concerns. These are subcommittee members, be sure to contact them before tomorrow!! Good luck, pressure matters!! Be safe, Chuck! |
|
CRS, DrPH
|
|
Utwig
V.I.P. Member Joined: June 02 2013 Status: Offline Points: 2210 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Dr Charles, I have one question. Here in the UK im a member of one of the political parties. Ive contacted my local party rep and asked for this subject to be raised as a discussion point at our next meeting. If I can get enough interest, the intention is to jointly write to our local MP and ask he investigates the risk to the UK in light of recent cdc activities and mistakes as we have a number of cdc facilities here.
Obviously I will have no control over what can happen so I do not intend to quote you directly or mention you by name, unless you are happy for that to happen. Can I ask for your assistance in phrasing that question. Currently it stands similar to this.. What assurences are provided by the cdc around events that have occured in the US regarding potentially lethal virus strains so those events cannot happen here in the UK. With specific reference to smallpox and h5n1 flu? May I take your thoughts and advice? Utwig. |
|
Remember to get your whole head in front of the shotgun!
|
|
CRS, DrPH
Expert Level Adviser Joined: January 20 2014 Location: Arizona Status: Offline Points: 26660 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Nice to meet you! I lived for a while in Exeter, UK and love the UK! I've noticed that much of the media hue & cry has generated from across the pond, for example: Therefore, I would start by contacting your media and getting them involved at the outset. Your politicians will see this and be able to use popular concern to justify their actions. Perhaps ask your MP to engage your government's health and foreign minister officials to do the inquiry for him/her? That makes sense to me. "Dear M.P., as a constituent and citizen of the UK, I am extremely concerned about the ongoing pattern of lapses in biosecurity across the laboratories of the USA, including their CDC and NIH. Please initiate a discussion within our government on this issue, as pathogenic organisms do not appreciate national boundaries." etc. What is important to realize is that we now have an opening to make our concerns heard, so we should voice them far, wide and frequently! I've never seen so many security lapses in my career, so we must strike while the iron is hot! Thanks for asking, ask again anytime! Also, this is more information about the NSABB dust-up: "What has been far more upsetting has been the degree to which the board has been ignored and in essence, silenced during this past 2 years—2 years of rapidly evolving science, pressing unresolved issues, and great need for work and contributions by a board like this," Relman commented. He said he has "some suspicion" that the change in members may be related to positions that members have taken in board deliberations, but has "nothing that I can support with objective evidence." |
|
CRS, DrPH
|
|
CRS, DrPH
Expert Level Adviser Joined: January 20 2014 Location: Arizona Status: Offline Points: 26660 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Further followup, this group has one representative from the UK on the panel (very prominent member!). You may want to communicate to him directly with your concerns. I thought Cambridge Group referred to the UK, but it is to Cambridge, Mass. |
|
CRS, DrPH
|
|
Utwig
V.I.P. Member Joined: June 02 2013 Status: Offline Points: 2210 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Thank you Dr Charles, ill see what I can do. Excellent information! Its a small world, I grew up in Plymouth :)
Utwig |
|
Remember to get your whole head in front of the shotgun!
|
|
CRS, DrPH
Expert Level Adviser Joined: January 20 2014 Location: Arizona Status: Offline Points: 26660 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The "sharp end," eh? It is truly a small world! I loved the drive from Devon and through Cornwall, it is amazing scenery! The stories keep pouring out: Senior American scientists have been abruptly dismissed from a US Government advisory board on dangerous biological agents, amid growing disquiet within the academic community about laboratory research creating more dangerous forms of flu virus. Four of the 11 researchers, who were dismissed on Sunday night, have since signed a petition calling for a limit on what laboratory experiments should be done on highly pathogenic strains of flu. |
|
CRS, DrPH
|
|
Utwig
V.I.P. Member Joined: June 02 2013 Status: Offline Points: 2210 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Hehe, yes, I learned to ride motorcycles on those roads, the variety of scenery is astounding, from the manicured beaches on the north coast all the way through to the wilds of Dart or Bodmin moors.
Did you ever visit a pub on on Dartmoore, on the Tavistock road from Okehampton called 'The Highwayman'? The one with the giant boot on the side of it? Utwig |
|
Remember to get your whole head in front of the shotgun!
|
|
CRS, DrPH
Expert Level Adviser Joined: January 20 2014 Location: Arizona Status: Offline Points: 26660 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Heh! I know it well! We used to drive past it on the way to Bodmin and St. Austell (I was doing environmental work with St. Austell Brewery, Roach Foods Ltd and others in that direction). We also did work inside of Dartmoore, with Buckfast Spinning Co. Ltd. (next to Buckfast Abbey). God it's a small world!! I'd move back in a second if I could! Cheers!
|
|
CRS, DrPH
|
|
Technophobe
Assistant Admin Joined: January 16 2014 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 88450 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
We in the UK would love to have you Chuck. WHAT AN ASSET! I'm at the opposite end of the union currently (though I went to boarding school in Axminster) but if there are any hoops you wanted jumping through at this end just say the word (I can't offer marriage as I am already, but anything else).
I don't suppose you mean it, except perhaps in wistful moments of reverie. I mean the offer though, if I can I will. |
|
How do you tell if a politician is lying?
His lips or pen are moving. |
|
CRS, DrPH
Expert Level Adviser Joined: January 20 2014 Location: Arizona Status: Offline Points: 26660 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Thanks! I remember Axminster, and am very fond of all of the villages in that area (Ottery St. Mary, Newton Poppleford etc.) I'm in touch on a daily basis with my friends in Great Britain, and I do hope to return. It's taken me a lot longer than I thought it would. Marriage won't work unless UK comes under Sharia (a looming possibility??) My wife is the jealous/murderous type. Take care, Chuck
|
|
CRS, DrPH
|
|
Technophobe
Assistant Admin Joined: January 16 2014 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 88450 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
So is hubby!!
|
|
How do you tell if a politician is lying?
His lips or pen are moving. |
|
Post Reply | |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You can vote in polls in this forum |