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Mike Mitka

JAMA. 2007;298(20):2359-2360.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

In light of increasing concerns over the threats of bioterror attacks or infectious disease outbreaks, the US federal government has funded the rapid expansion of the nation's capacity for researching bioagents and developing countermeasures. But now some in Congress are questioning the merits of such laboratory growth, citing safety and oversight issues.

Since 2003, officials have received more than 100 reports of exposures in high-containment research laboratories and lost shipments involving some of the world's most virulent pathogens. Moreover, the frequency of these mishaps is increasing, with 36 such episodes reported during the first 8 months of 2007—more than all reported in 2006. No deaths have been linked to the incidents or lost shipments.

Legislators are considering curbing the growth of high-containment laboratories due to significant concerns about safety and oversight. (Photo credit: CDC)

These problems prompted an October 4 hearing before the House Committee on Energy and . . . [Full Text of this Article]

A BALANCING ACT