Ministry of Truth

Biosafety lab in South End gets final OK
BU may start construction this month

The
federal government gave final approval yesterday to Boston University’s
plan to build a high-security research
laboratory
in the South End, where scientists hunting for vaccines and drugs will
work with some of the world’s deadliest viruses and bacteria, such
as Ebola, anthrax, and plague. (Boston
Globe)

Hmmm.  We seem to remember when they called
these things "Bio-Hazard" Labs or "Bio-Weapons" Labs, places working
with Elboa, anthrax and plague. Appearently, "Bio-Safety" is a
lot easier to sell, especially for a facility in a major urban area,
down the street from the #1 free care hospital in town (Boston Medical
Center) and right next to the wholesale flower market.

Looks gorgeous, and innoculous in the artist’s rendition,
no? Still, we can’t quite forget that BU earned this honor, in part,
by reacting so well last year when three
researchers at another Boston University biolab managed to infect themselves with
an infectious bacterium called tularemia.

Check out the location on the map below. We are looking
for a new dentist.

and this one shows "how these labs work" for us
rubes. Better check that wall between the Men’s and Women’s showers for
peep holes…

story and graphics from the Boston Globe