* tracking Dr. Ivins’ RMR-1029 anthrax; Dr. Hugh-Jones describes LSU subpoena response
Posted by Lew Weinstein on June 29, 2009
why the FBI failed to solve the 2001 anthrax case
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Dr. Bruce ivins
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tracking Dr. Ivins’ RMR-1029 anthrax;
Dr. Bruce ivins
Dr. Hugh-Jones describes LSU subpoena response
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Dr. Martin Hugh-Jones has responded to several questions regarding anthrax supplied by Dr. Bruce Ivns in connection with research done at Louisiana State University in 2001, indicating that there was no anthrax supplied by Dr. Ivins used in that research. Dr. Hugh Jones is Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA. We thank Dr. Hugh-Jones for his response, as follows …
Q: To which labs did Dr. Ivins ship the virulent Ames strains?
- A: We obtained our Ames material from Porton, UK, labelled Asc 159. It had been in their collection for over 10 years.
Q: In which labs was research with the Ivins supplied anthrax done?
- A: No idea.
Q: Was any sample supplied by Bruce Ivins still in existence at the time of the later subpoenas of Louisiana State University and University of Michigan?
- A: n/a
Q: Who would have provided an isolate of that sample in response to any subpoena during the mid-October 2001 to February 2002 period?
- A: Copies of the cultures requested in that subpoena were provided to the investigators.
DXer said
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/06/30/2009-06-30_offbeat_science_tales_light_up_nova.html
Tyson also reports on something many people may have forgotten: the anthrax attacks that occurred in the weeks after 9/11. He traces how scientists tracked the anthrax back to its apparent point of origin and identified the man most likely to have had some involvement.
Alas, we may never know for sure, because he committed suicide.
DXer said
Maybe the initials relate to AVA info for CDC.
On the third line I believe it says B97-05 which I believe refers to Vegetative cell/spore challenge in rabbits – Rabbits were immunized with AVA at 0 and 4 weeks, then challenged at 10 weeks subcutaneously with and LD99 of either Ames spores or Ames encapsulated, vegetative cells.
Bruce Ivins wrote an email dated January 14, 2000 titled “AVA Info for CDC” in which he provides AVA vaccination info for an upcoming CDC meeting.
Maybe rather than initials referring to initials or organizations, it is a similiar reference. One of his supervisors or someone else in the lab would know.
As another example, B98-03 – involved a Challenge of rabbits with spores of highly virulent strains – Rabbits were immunized at 0 and 4 weeks, then aerosol challenged at 10 weeks with spores from one of 6 different B. anthracis strains (the equivalent of about 1,000 to 2,000 Ames spore LD50s).
Total Survivors/Total Challenged
57/59
One group was challenged subcutaneously with the equivalent of 1,000 Ames LD50s (Zimbabwe strain).
DXer said
To promote efficiency and avoid responding to duplicative requests, the excellent FOI person is making inquiries about making arrangement to make generally available the megabytes and megabytes of information gathered for various ongoing productions to Frederick News-Post reporter Jason Polk, NYT Scott Shane, journalist David Willman, the USA Today etc. To include anything ever produced about the anthrax breach or anthrax investigation. If he succeeds, I can forward it to anyone who likes and Lew can highlight material portions. One document of key interest will be USAMRIID Lab Notebook 4010. He says the (b)(6) redactions on the flask 1029 record are initials. He says there is a long queue for appeals (6-7 months) heard by the OGC. We owe a great debt to the folks at Frederick News-Post and other requestors who view FOI as a marathon, not a sprint, and have been running the race now for a long time. The News-Post coverage has been particularly good and their editor is to be commended for letting a journalist make it a priority.
BugMaster said
Initials of what, people or locations? I am assuming the (b)(6) redactions would remain for initials of individuals, but would not be appropriate for initials or abbreviations of companies and institutions.
DXer said
He didn’t say beyond using the word “initials” and I didn’t ask. We got talking about the Oswego Harborfest and I got distracted.
They have sent many megabytes of documents in the last hour or two and will continue to make productions on an ongoing basis. Whoever would like a copies emailed, let me know.
http://www.anthraxandalqaeda.com