* should public access to anthrax research info be curtailed?

Critics Upset About Deadly Agents Bill (5-8-09) …

GALVESTON, Texas

• Open government advocates are decrying a bill passed by the Texas Senate that would curtail the public’s access to state laboratories’ information on “select agents” such as the Ebola virus, anthrax and other deadly substances.
• But supporters say the measure protects the security of the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston’s National Lab and the privacy of researchers.
• “We’ve been very open and transparent, and I certainly don’t see this changing,” said Dr. James LeDuc, deputy director of the national laboratory, The Galveston County Daily News reported.
• Federal law, which the bill is supposed to mirror, protects the names of employees, officials say.

LMW COMMENT … There were comments attached to the above post, all in favor of maintaining privacy to the general public. What do you think?

read the entire post at … http://www.click2houston.com/news/19404555/detail.html