A letter from Concerned Grafton Residents
The Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, in neighboring North Grafton
has applied for, and received a $15 million dollar grant to build a
bio-defense research facility in North Grafton from the National
Institute of Infectious Diseases.
This facility will be what is called a BSL-3 (Bio Safety Level 3)
Laboratory. There is only one level higher, BSL-4. In this lab, Tufts
will perform bio-terrorism and bio-defense research with infectious
and contagious pathogens. Tufts is currently registered to study:
Ricin, Abrin, Tuleremia, and Botulinum.
These are what is known as
Category A agents that pose a risk to national security because they:
can be easily disseminated or transmitted person-to-person cause high mortality, with potential for major public health impact
might cause public panic and social disruption
require special action for public health preparedness
--NIAID Biodefense Research Agenda for CDC Category A Agents".)
Our concerned citizens group feels that this lab does not belong in
North Grafton. Especially considering this facility is to be within a
two-mile radius of North Grafton Elementary School, Grafton
Middle School, and Westborough Mill Pond School. A population of 1664
students!
The Grafton Board of Selectmen and citizenship have voted through
town meeting Article #45 opposing this facility.
In case you didn't catch the April 6, 2006 Worcester Telegram and
local television news, Tufts is presently engaged in this research,
which was a surprise to our town officials:
"Five workers exposed to botulinum toxin at Tufts "
-- Five employees of Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts
University were hospitalized yesterday afternoon after they were
accidentally exposed to a toxin that causes botulism, according to
school officials.
For more information e-mail mailto:info@nograftonbdlab.org
Or visit http://www.nograftonbdlab.org where there is a petition and
contact information for local officials. Get involved! Find out more
information, before it is too late.
Sincerely,
Grafton Residents for a Safe Community