A letter from Concerned Grafton Residents

A letter from Concerned Grafton Residents

The Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, in neighboring North Grafton has applied for, and received a $15 million dollar grant to build a bio-defense research facility in North Grafton from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

This facility will be what is called a BSL-3 (Bio Safety Level 3) Laboratory. There is only one level higher, BSL-4. In this lab, Tufts will perform bio-terrorism and bio-defense research with infectious and contagious pathogens. Tufts is currently registered to study: Ricin, Abrin, Tuleremia, and Botulinum.

These are what is known as Category A agents that pose a risk to national security because they:

• can be easily disseminated or transmitted person-to-person cause high mortality, with potential for major public health impact

• might cause public panic and social disruption

• require special action for public health preparedness

--NIAID Biodefense Research Agenda for CDC Category A Agents".)

Our concerned citizens group feels that this lab does not belong in North Grafton. Especially considering this facility is to be within a two-mile radius of North Grafton Elementary School, Grafton Middle School, and Westborough Mill Pond School. A population of 1664 students!

The Grafton Board of Selectmen and citizenship have voted through town meeting Article #45 opposing this facility. In case you didn't catch the April 6, 2006 Worcester Telegram and local television news, Tufts is presently engaged in this research, which was a surprise to our town officials:

"Five workers exposed to botulinum toxin at Tufts " -- Five employees of Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University were hospitalized yesterday afternoon after they were accidentally exposed to a toxin that causes botulism, according to school officials.

For more information e-mail mailto:info@nograftonbdlab.org

Or visit http://www.nograftonbdlab.org where there is a petition and contact information for local officials. Get involved! Find out more information, before it is too late.

Sincerely,

Grafton Residents for a Safe Community