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Published online 6 August 2008 | Nature | doi:10.1038/454672a
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Death renews biosecurity debate
Microbiologist's suicide over anthrax case raises questions on US regulations.
The suicide of a biodefence researcher who was being investigated in connection with the 2001 anthrax attacks has raised questions about the US government’s regulation of research on dangerous pathogens — even as Congress considers a bill to improve oversight.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had been working to link Bruce Ivins, a microbiologist at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) in Frederick, Maryland, to five people who died after anthrax spores were sent through the mail soon after the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001.
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May he rest in peace. The fear that is currently sweeping this country is dangerous for everyone, especially for scientists who do classified or secret work for the government.
Maybe the government and society should take better care of scientists and give their work a bit more respect for all the stress that they have to deal with and all the long hours they put in. The good scientists balance on the edge of insanity, let's do what we can to keep them productive and happy.