Scientist: The stakes are high

LOS ANGELES TIMES

Originally published Monday, April 22, 2002

WASHINGTON -- Many of the scientists upset with the FBI's approach to the anthrax investigation are passionate campaigners against the dangers of biological weapons.

They have devoted their careers to studying sarin gas, anthrax and chemical weapons -- and the cults and terrorists who might use them.

They fear the anthrax killer might turn into another Unabomber, a malcontent who for 17 years used the U.S. mail to send bombs to academics and executives he deemed enemies.

Every day that passes without an arrest, they think, sends a dangerous message to potential bioterrorists.

"A taboo was broken here," warned Barbara Hatch Rosenberg, a molecular biologist of Purchase College, State University of New York. "Someone else might think they could get away with this, too."

Steven M. Block, professor of biological sciences and applied physics at Stanford University, agreed that the stakes are bigger than catching one culprit.

"The fundamental question here is, 'Are we victims of our own anthrax, or our own expertise, or is this a further fallout from al-Qaida?' " he asked. "It's a critical question. This is the first biological warfare of the 21st century, and our proper response to it -- morally, politically and in every other way -- depends on our understanding which it is."

The Olympian Copyright 2002

back to Terror in America index