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.