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DANIEL O'CONNOR
Issue date: 8/17/07 Section: News
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Members of the University community soon could be defeating bird flu, SARS and the West Nile virus in addition to SEC opponents.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to build a National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, and a site on Milledge Avenue is one of five potential national sites.
The facility would be "good for the University, good for Athens and good for the state," said David Lee, vice president for research at the University.
The Department of Homeland Security's other options are Flora Industrial Park in Madison County, Miss.; Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan.; Texas Research Park in San Antonio, Texas and Umstead Research Farm in Granville County, N.C.
"The competition [to get the facility placed in Athens] will be very tough," Lee said. "But, if we're judged on the merits, I like our chances."
One of the qualifications to host the facility is a great research environment, and "we have a strong group of researchers," he said.
The community has shown support for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Center in Athens.
However, Lee said he expects some community members will show concern.
A number of meetings are planned to address potential concerns, said Terry Hastings, communications director for the office of the vice president for research.
Aug. 30, a meeting addressing environmental concerns will be held in the Georgia Center from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
"Our community, state and agricultural leaders are very supportive of researchto protect animal and human health," Lee said.
Most people do not realize Georgia is the top poultry-producing state in the nation, Lee said.
According to the Georgia Poultry Federation, the poultry industry contributes $13 billion to Georgia's economy.
Protecting that food supply is in the interest of Georgia and the nation, Lee said.
The facility would protect the nation's livestock from zoonotic diseases, which can be transmitted from animals to humans, he said.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to build a National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, and a site on Milledge Avenue is one of five potential national sites.
The facility would be "good for the University, good for Athens and good for the state," said David Lee, vice president for research at the University.
The Department of Homeland Security's other options are Flora Industrial Park in Madison County, Miss.; Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan.; Texas Research Park in San Antonio, Texas and Umstead Research Farm in Granville County, N.C.
"The competition [to get the facility placed in Athens] will be very tough," Lee said. "But, if we're judged on the merits, I like our chances."
One of the qualifications to host the facility is a great research environment, and "we have a strong group of researchers," he said.
The community has shown support for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Center in Athens.
However, Lee said he expects some community members will show concern.
A number of meetings are planned to address potential concerns, said Terry Hastings, communications director for the office of the vice president for research.
Aug. 30, a meeting addressing environmental concerns will be held in the Georgia Center from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
"Our community, state and agricultural leaders are very supportive of researchto protect animal and human health," Lee said.
Most people do not realize Georgia is the top poultry-producing state in the nation, Lee said.
According to the Georgia Poultry Federation, the poultry industry contributes $13 billion to Georgia's economy.
Protecting that food supply is in the interest of Georgia and the nation, Lee said.
The facility would protect the nation's livestock from zoonotic diseases, which can be transmitted from animals to humans, he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Matt D
posted 8/17/07 @ 10:56 AM EST
...or maybe not
"MIT molecular biology professor Jonathan King writes: "the Bush administration launched a major program which threatens to put the health of our people at far greater risk than the hazard to which they claimed to have been responding. (Continued…)
Matt D
posted 8/17/07 @ 10:57 AM EST
...or maybe not
"MIT molecular biology professor Jonathan King writes: "the Bush administration launched a major program which threatens to put the health of our people at far greater risk than the hazard to which they claimed to have been responding. (Continued…)
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