U.S. Labs Mishandling Deadly Germs

American laboratories handling the world’s deadliest germs and toxins have experienced more than 100 accidents and missing shipments since 2003, and the number is increasing steadily as more labs across the country are approved to do the work.

No one died, and regulators said the public was never at risk during these incidents. But the documented cases reflect poorly on procedures and oversight at high-security labs, some of which work with organisms and poisons so dangerous that illnesses they cause have no cure. In some cases, labs have failed to report accidents as required by law.

The mishaps include workers bitten or scratched by infected animals, skin cuts, needle sticks and more, according to a review by The Associated Press of confidential reports submitted to federal regulators. They describe accidents involving anthrax, bird flu virus, monkeypox and plague-causing bacteria at 44 labs in 24 states. More than two-dozen incidents were still under investigation.

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Intelligence has shown repeatedly that terrorists are seeking the means to mount a range of attacks using chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear devices. The accidents and mishandling are one thing…the lost shipments and potential security risks are another.

Although this article does not delve into potential security risks, one can only imagine.

In Britain, MI5 has warned that al-Qaeda is actively recruiting scientists and extremist groups are known to have targeted students, offering to fund courses in return for using their newly acquired expertise.

Consider this artcle from from the TimesOnline.

Scientists tighten security over germ terror threat