NIH Outlines How It Would Spend the $1.2B Bush Has Proposed for Bioterrorism Research, Defense
NIH on March 14 released a report outlining the areas in which the agency plans to spend a proposed $1.2 billion in bioterrorism research funding, the
AP/South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. Although Congress has yet to pass President Bush's funding proposal, NIH detailed the "mesh of basic laboratory research and clinical studies" targeted at the "most worrisome" bioterrorism agents, including anthrax, smallpox, plague, tularemia, viral hemorrhagic fevers and botulism (AP/South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 3/14). These diseases are classified by the CDC as Category A because they are associated with high death rates, are "relatively easy" to spread and could necessitate special plans for public health preparedness. The report, the "National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease Counter-Bioterrorism Research Agenda," separates research on Category A microbes into six "key elements":
- Microbial biology: Researchers will sequence each microbe's genome, which could help in the development of new drugs and vaccines.
- Human immune response: Researchers will focus on the basic components of the immune system to develop safe and effective vaccines and more accurate diagnostic tests.
- Vaccines: Considered one of the "most effective" preventive measures, new Ebola and anthrax vaccines could enter human trials soon, and research on vaccines for smallpox and tularemia is continuing.
- Treatments: Researchers will develop compounds that destroy the microbes and related toxins using basic research on the microbes' genetic composition.
- Diagnostics: As a "key part" of the agenda, researchers will work on new early warning tests that will allow for a more effective response to a bioterrorist attack.
- Research resources: To assist researchers in the five other areas, NIAID will build new facilities, collaborate with industry experts and train new scientists.
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson said, "Research is a vital element of bioterrorism defense. The NIAID [agenda] describes the highest priorities of an accelerated program to expand research on bioterrorism agents and quickly develop new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines to protect the public." NIAID Director Anthony Fauci said that the increased funding for bioterrorism also would benefit research on other infectious diseases. "[W]e have witnessed several emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases that have presented us with many of the same challenges as bioterrorism, namely identifying changing threats and preparing for them to appear at any time. ... The influx of resources and renewed energy into infectious disease research will no doubt help us enormously in tackling naturally occurring illnesses such as drug-resistant tuberculosis and influenza." NIAID officials said the agency will release research plans for Category B and C microbes in the "near future" (NIAID release, 3/14). The NIH report is available
online. Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the report.
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