US Judge Rules BU Biolab Plan OK
Original article from: Boston Globe, posted on October 2, 2013. by Kay Lazar
A federal court has ruled that Boston University can proceed with its decade-long push to study some of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases in a South End laboratory, a decision that leaves the university needing only permission from local health officials before the controversial research can begin.
“While the community has understandable concerns about the wisdom of locating the facility in a highly populated urban area,” US District Court Judge Patti B. Saris wrote in a decision issued late Monday, the final federal assessment of risks posed to the public from accidents or “malevolent acts is extremely low or beyond reasonably foreseeable.”
The decision clears the way for final review by the Boston Public Health Commission.
Boston University spokesman Steve Burgay said the court’s decision “affirms our view that this type of research can be done safely in Boston.”