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World-wide bird flu epidemic would cost the world economy $2 trillion
The World Health Organization and the World Bank revise upward their earlier estimates of the likely cost — and human toll — of a world-wide avian flu epidmeic; the problem has not disappeared, only the news coverage of it
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Napkin to help in detecting bioterror, infection agents
The humble table napkin may soon assume important responsibilities in detecting bioterror agents and infectious pathogens; Cornell University researchers are developing a nanofabric-made napkin to do just that
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Electronic Sensor Technology signs deal with USDA
Company’s zNose chemical sensors to be deployed to fish ponds to detect algae overgrowth; deal the latest in a string of successs for the California company; recent deals also made with Saudi Arabia and China
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Health officials link E. coli sickness to packaged spinach
New methods are needed to test and contain the deadly bacteria; we review two new technologies
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Expanded bioterror research raises dual-use risks
Since the fall 2001 anthrax scare the U.S. government has dramatically expanded bidefense research, spending billions of dollars on new facilities, thousands of rsearchers, and new lines of research; important scientific breakthrough have been achieved; the U.S. government’s effort has not been accompanied by an equally enetrgetic camopaign to educate scientists to the fact that this very expansion — and these very breakthroughs — also hold great dual-use risk: An insider with the knowledge, the means, and the malice may inflict great harm; the FAS is doing something important about the dual-use part of the equation
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Canada strikes back against new U.S. agro-terror fees
Agriculture minister meets with U.S. officials to express displeasure with program, claims Canadian inspection system sufficient
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California's Central Valley shores up counter-agroterror programs
Butte County sets an example for others with tight controls on cropdusters, fertilizer and pesticide storage
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Efforts genetically to engineer pathogens runs into evolutionary trouble
Scientists, rogue or traditional, must overcome “one-kill cycle” of new bacteria and viruses; new strains kill hosts too quickly to cause pandemic
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Worried about crop smuggling, USDA imposes new fees on Canadian fliers, transport
Rise of tropical fruit smuggling worries USDA; $5 fee to be imposed on airline travellers; $5.25 for trucks, $7.50 for every railway car, and $488 on each maritime vessel
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Sheetz food poisoning fiasco inspires software reponse
Alto-Shaam and E-Control Systems offer food preparation monitoring system; data from cookers and freezers useful for employee oversight, defending against lawsuits
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Japanese government survey finds health centers unprepared for bioterror
Many lack trained teams to respond to small pox and anthrax
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Safe America Foundation to test social distancing as flu response
Effort coordinated with French government, American health authorities; employees of Fortune 100 firms to avoid each other at work, will be monitored by hidden cameras
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Escape of genetically modified grass and rice upsets industry
Lax regulatory enforcement cited as major problem; USDA often unware of testing programs and location
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Georgia congressmen press House about agroterrorism
State a leader in biodefense; first state to create a “national curriculum” on agrosecurity
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Fisher Scientific, trying to merge with Thermo Electron, will sell off product line to satisfy anti-trust concerns
A request for information from the FTC prompts company to consider selling Genevac, a $17 million solvent evaporation and concentration equipment manufacturer
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The long view
A Shining Star in a Contentious Legacy: Could Marty Makary Be the Saving Grace of a Divisive Presidency?
While much of the Trump administration has sparked controversy, the FDA’s consumer-first reforms may be remembered as its brightest legacy. From AI-driven drug reviews to bans on artificial dyes, the FDA’s agenda resonates with the public in ways few Trump-era policies have.