A public hearing was held Friday in Manhattan, Kansas to hear critics and supporters of the funding of the proposed $1 billion biolab that will work with animal diseases like the long-eradicated in United States, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, right there in the nation’s heartland.
The proponents of the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility destined for Kansas State University (KSU) via Plum Island, NY say the research facility’s purpose is to ironically, protect the nation’s food supply from bioterrorism. A staffer from Gov. Sam Brownback’s office said, “that this will be the safest lab ever built”.
However, in an earlier study by scientists from the National Research Council, they reported that there was a 70 percent chance of an accidental release of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) from the lab sometime in its projected 50-year lifespan. In fact, the scientists warned previously that an accidental or intentional release of foot-and-mouth disease from the facility could have a dire effect on the nation’s cattle industry. A second study based on new updated risk assessment for the building is in progress.
Imagine the accidental release of FMD right splat in the middle of cattle and hog country. Such a release would result in billions of dollars of losses in livestock according to experts.
Transplanting Plum Island to Kansas: is the country's food supply at risk?
To no one’s surprise, certain high-level Kansas politicians like Senator Pat Roberts and Governor Sam Brownback, are staunchly in favor of this potentially dangerous and ever more costly project. The Kansas City Star reports the estimated costs for the lab have more than doubled, from $415 million when it was proposed to more than $1 billion by the time it is operational.
However, not everyone in Washington likes the idea. U.S. Rep. Timothy Bishop of New York said last month that it was ludicrous for the government to spend a billion dollars for a new animal disease lab in Kansas when a “perfectly good” facility,the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, already exists off the eastern tip of Long Island.
Did Lyme disease originate out of Plum Island?
Other high profile ‘heartland’ politicians that oppose moving the animal research facility to Kansas include Iowa Senator Tom Harkin and Montana Senator Jon Tester.
According to reports from the hearings, opponents of the Department of Homeland Security biolab were largely outnumbered by KSU and other government officials.
Read more about the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility.
Questions loom over high-security lab in Kansas
Other stories and conspiracies:
Body With ‘Very Long Fingers’ Found On Plum Island, Near Disease Lab
The Truth About Plum Island By Patricia Doyle
Montauk Monster In Plum Island, Was It A Raccoon?
WATCH: “Conspiracy Theory” With Jesse Ventura: Plum Island – Full Episode
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