ASU research departments and foreign research scientists handling potentially lethal biological materials may come under strict control in the future due to legislation introduced in Congress this week.
The legislation, in reaction to bioterrorism fears, would require federal registration and inventory of all potentially lethal agents being studied in U.S. academic laboratories.
Also included in the legislation are requirements of registration for all scientists and laboratory employees working with potentially lethal biological materials and barring foreign scientists from working on potentially lethal biological material unless they get a special waiver from the government.
Paul Senseman, director of communications for the Arizona House of Representatives, said the Arizona Legislature was not considering any legislation regarding biological research facilities in Arizona, but in the future such an idea might be explored.
"At the moment we've been focussing on our balanced budget problem," Senseman said. "That's not to say that something won't come up in the regular session in January. The speaker of the House is definitely supportive of improved domestic security measures."
ASU biochemistry professor Dennis Lohr said the University already has containment measures in place. The National Institute of Health controls research projects at ASU. A complete description of the materials being handled and containment levels have to be maintained while a research project is conducted, and must be submitted to the institute before it is funded.
Lohr said he has no objection to a background check.
"I don't have any problem with that. They can check my background any time they want to," Lohr said. "If you're working on something potentially dangerous, why not? What do you have to hide?"
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