Thursday, December 4, 2008

Kansas Site Chosen For Biodefense Facility

The government has recommended a site in Kansas for a new $450 million laboratory to study biological threats such as anthrax and foot-and-mouth disease, officials said Wednesday.

The Department of Homeland Security chose Manhattan, in central Kansas, amid intense competition from sites in Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas.

Agency officials disclosed their decision to several lawmakers late Tuesday, said lawmakers and staff familiar with the briefings.

A Homeland Security spokeswoman said the department will have no comment until an announcement later this week.

The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility would replace an aging 24-acre research complex on New York's Plum Island.

Retaliation in Prosecutor's Office

MINNEAPOLIS -- A former U.S. attorney for Minnesota retaliated against a top prosecutor in her office who reported her for careless handling of classified homeland security reports, a watchdog agency said. In announcing a whistleblower settlement, the Office of Special Counsel said its investigation found that Rachel K. Paulose retaliated against John Marti by taking steps to remove him as her first assistant. Marti returned to being an assistant U.S. attorney.

Caution Urged on Stem Cell Sites

NEW YORK -- Consumers should be wary of Web sites from clinics that offer stem cell treatments, a study says. The sites in the study generally portrayed their therapies as safe, effective and ready for routine use, but research does not support that "overoptimistic" picture, the authors said in the journal Cell Stem Cell.

Action Against Gay-Marriage Ban

LOS ANGELES -- California state legislators have introduced resolutions opposing a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, saying it undermines their ability to protect minorities and sets the stage for ballot battles that give and take away rights.

-- From Staff Reports and News Services