NEIDL in the News
Hot Debate on Level 4 Ban; City Council Hears Varied Voices and Views on Biolab
Original article from: MySouthEnd.com, posted on April 23, 2014. By Michele D. Maniscalco The Boston City Council’s Committee on Government Operations heard from about 70 witnesses at a lengthy and lively hearing last week on Docket #0227, Councilor Charles Yancey’s proposed ban of Level 4 research in the city. City Hall’s Iannella... More
Researchers Cite Experts’ Findings of NEIDL Safety
Original article from: BU Today, posted on April 17, 2014. By Art Jahnke In a discussion whose outcome may determine if Boston University’s National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) will conduct research involving pathogens such as the Ebola and Marburg viruses, speakers for and against research at BioSafety Level 4 (BSL-4)... More
Testimony of Seth Jaffe on Behalf of Boston University in Connection with Proposed Ordinance on BSL-4 Research in the City of Boston
This testimony addresses the scope of the review of potential risks posed by the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) and the assessment of that review by two separate panels of experts, as well as by federal and state court judges. The heart of the review is the final supplemental... More
Testimony of Michelle Consalvo of Boston University in Connection with Proposed Ordinance on BSL-4 Research in the City of Boston
Good afternoon. My name is Michelle Consalvo. I am a lifelong Bostonian who currently lives and works in the City of Boston. I live in West Roxbury, at 93 Addington Road, and work at Boston University as the Assistant Vice President of Government & Community Affairs. I would like to... More
Testimony of Tom Robbins of Boston University in Connection with Proposed Ordinance on BSL-4 Research in the City of Boston
Good Afternoon, my name is Tom Robbins and I live at 30 South Pleasant Street in Merrimac Mass. I am the Executive Director of Public Safety for Boston University and I have been in my current position since 2006. As Executive Director, I oversee the Boston University police department, public... More
Testimony of Gloria Waters of Boston University in Connection with Proposed Ordinance on BSL-4 Research in the City of Boston
Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Gloria Waters and I am the Vice President and Associate Provost for Research at Boston University. I have been a resident of Boston for over 20 years—I live at 90 Commonwealth Ave. a little more than 2 miles from... More
Testimony of Ronald Corley of Boston University in Connection with Proposed Ordinance on BSL-4 Research in the City of Boston
On behalf of the other members of the NEIDL team, I would like to thank the City Council for the opportunity to speak. My name is Ron Corley, and my residence is at 19 Nash Lane, Weston, although my wife will tell you I live at work in the South... More
‘Level 4’ Disease Research Can Be Safe, Belongs In America’s Medical Capital
Original article from: Boston Globe, posted on April 13, 2014. Editorial Few disaster scenarios capture the anxieties of our age like the sudden emergence of a deadly, invisible disease in a vulnerable population. In the anthrax attacks after 9/11, which were never conclusively solved, a biological agent took the lives of... More
Newsweek Article Does Not Pertain to NEIDL
Newsweek recently published an article that raises concerns about biosafety laboratories. The article did not mention the NEIDL, but we have nonetheless received a number of questions about whether the article and the concerns it raised have any relevance to the BU biosafety lab. The short answer to that question... More
BU Questions Claims Behind Ordinance to Ban BSL-4 Research: City Council Hearing on April 16
Boston City Councillor Charles C. Yancey recently filed a proposed ordinance to prohibit Biosafety Level-4 (BSL-4) research in the City of Boston, based on the Councillor’s belief that conducting BSL-4 research is unsafe for the community. Councillor Yancey’s proposed ordinance is unnecessary. An exhaustive study of the safety of the Boston... More
BU Awards Community Grant To Franklin Park Coalition to Support Youth Programming
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 28, 2014 Contact: Valeda Britton; vjbritto@bu.edu; 617-638-1911 BU Awards Community Grant To Franklin Park Coalition to Support Youth Programming (Boston) - Boston University today announced a grant of $2,500 to the Franklin Park Coalition (FPC). Boston University makes ongoing grants to local community organizations offering programs and services... More
Emergency Preparedness Drill at Boston University’s National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories This Week
Emergency Preparedness Drill at Boston University’s National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories This Week On December 19, Boston University (BU) and the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) will conduct a tabletop emergency preparedness drill as part of the ongoing safety and training program for laboratory personnel and internal and external response... More
Biohazard Lab Makes Communicator Jean-Luc Picard Might Recognize
Original article from: Txchnologist, posted on November 6, 2013. by Jim Nash It’s hard to imagine an environment where instant and clear communication is more critical than in biodefense labs dealing with the most lethal pathogens on Earth. And yet, these facilities, which are few in number and rich in potential... More
Higher-Level TB Research to Begin at NEIDL Boston Public Health Commission Gives Go-Ahead
Original article from: BU Today, posted on October 31, 2013. by Rich Barlow BU’s National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories will begin doing tuberculosis research at a higher biosafety level in the coming months, following approval of the work by the Boston Public Health Commission. The research will be transferred from another lab on... More
The World’s Most Infectious Deadly Diseases… in the South End? A Federal Court Ruled in Favor of the Boston University Biolab
Original article from: Boston Magazine, posted on October 1, 2013. by Melissa Malamut Boston University’s decade-long battle to study some of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases in a South End laboratory won approval Monday from a federal court. According to a report on local website Boston.com, Boston University can proceed with its plans to... More
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... More
Federal judge OKs Boston U Disease Research Lab
Original article from: Boston Herald, posted on October 2, 2013. BOSTON — A Boston University laboratory built to study some of the world's most dangerous diseases is one step closer to opening following a federal judge's decision issued this week that it poses little risk to the public. The lab has been... More
Federal Judge Rules in Favor of BU’s Biolab; One Local Review Remains
Original article from: Boston.com, posted on October 1, 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... More
Federal Court Supports NIH Review of Biolab Safety Risks; BU’s NEIDL Moves Closer to Full Operation
Original article from: BU Today, posted on October 1, 2013. By Art Jahnke In an action that moves BU’s National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories(NEIDL) closer to full operation, a federal court judge has ruled that a Final Supplementary Risk Assessment prepared by the National Institutes of Health(NIH) adequately analyzes the risks associated with... More
BU Gives $8,500 in Grants for Summer Programs and Local Non-Profit
For Immediate Release: August 7, 2013 Contact: Ellen Berlin (617) 520-7115, eberlin@webershandwick.com Valeda Britton, (617) 638-1911, vjbritto@bu.edu BU GIVES $8,500 IN GRANTS FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS AND LOCAL NON-PROFIT (Boston) — Boston University recently gave $8,500 to help aid programs that support Roxbury's arts and cultural environment as well as a summer biotech program for local... More