new-science
Suicide of Anthrax Suspect Puts Spotlight on Science
September 15th 2008 14:00
The real question is “Does the FBI finally have it right?” In 2002, they thought they had a culprit in Steven Hatfill. Hatfill worked with Ivins and was named a “person of interest” by ex-Attorney General John Ashcroft. Hatfill, by the way, just won $5.8 million for the damage sustained to his career by the false association of his name with the Anthrax case.
Currently, the FBI believes Ivins to be the guilty party since the DNA of the anthrax spores sent through the mail match the DNA of the anthrax spores Ivins worked on in his lab. While many believe this to be solid evidence of guilt, it does not seem quite so solid to this writer. Who else had access to this type of anthrax? Could someone have gained access inappropriately? Not only this, but there was a second DNA type (or strain) of anthrax mixed with the one that Ivins worked with. What about that? Finally, even if the anthrax came from Ivins lab, how do you answer the point that Ivins probably could not have made the fine powder that the anthrax spores were mixed with to lace the envelopes? Ivins may have been guilty, but more concrete evidence is needed to prove that.
So what exactly is anthrax and why do people care? Anthrax, like many serious pathogens, can kill someone within a very short time frame and with virtually no warning. When inhaled, anthrax can cause symptoms akin to the common cold such as a sore throat and fever. This is one reason it is so dangerous, people are sick so often with the common cold that they think nothing of being sick. Unfortunately, the symptoms do not simply go away but intensify. In only a few days, anthrax produces “severe breathing problems and shock”, according to the CDC website. Although anthrax is not contagious, there is little way to know if you have it. The CDC does note that victims of anthrax usually do not have the runny nose typically associated with the common cold. The common cold, however, is going to usually be guilty for causing cold-like symptoms, unless you have inhaled strange white powder of an unknown origin which caused you to fall ill.
Scientists have become concerned by these events since they could directly affect their ability to work with such organisms. Also, the possible actions of Ivins, who received awards of thanks for his research, has caused almost everyone to wonder if he is truly guilty, why he would commit such a heinous act and how the government will stop similar problems in the future.
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