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In late December, the University of Washington applied for a $25 million grant from the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) to build a Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) to be used for biomedical research and research training. The facility would be used for research requiring Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) and Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) containment, as defined by the national Centers for Disease Control. Pathogens studied in such laboratories have known treatments available, but the ultimate purpose of the research is the development of vaccines and comprehensive public health programs. These facilities are designed to conduct research on infections agents such as HIV, Simian immune deficiency virus, tuberculosis, tularemia, plague, and emerging infectious diseases. Currently, the University has dozens of BSL-2 laboratories and approximately thirty laboratories in University-owned or leased buildings that could be used for research at the BSL-3 level.
This facility could not be used for the study of diseases that require a BSL-4 level of protection, such as Ebola viral hemorrhagic fevers or other pathogens for which there are no known treatments. The University does not conduct research requiring BSL-4 facilities and will not consider conducting such research. The facility would also not be used for research to create biological weapons or conduct bio-terrorism research. Its purpose is to develop vaccines for infectious diseases that pose a serious health threat to humanity.
Concerns have been raised about the fact that the grant application was submitted prior to a public discussion of its merits, and about the safety and security issues that accompany the construction of such a facility. We are embarking upon a process now to generate such a discussion in our community. Over the coming months, the proposal will be the subject of a variety of meetings with various groups on and off campus to gather as much information as possible before a final decision is made on whether to proceed with the project, should it receive funding from the NIAID. In addition to these meetings, two open public forums will be held, one on campus on February 23 at 7:00 p.m. in Kane Hall, and one off campus on March 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Center Auditorium at Magnuson Park. The purpose of these forums will be to hear views people have about the proposal and to answer questions regarding it. For those who cannot attend, the Kane forum will be accessible live on UWTV Channel 27 and on the web at www.uwtv.org
We expect to hear in June whether the proposal is being recommended for funding by NIAID. Between now and then, the University will have ample opportunity to consider the merits of building such a facility. I have asked Provost Thorud to convene a special faculty and administration working group to review and make recommendations to me on the siting issue. We will gather all the information we receive in the process outlined above before making a final determination whether to proceed with the project.
I encourage you to become engaged in the discussion, to attend one of the public forums, or to e-mail your question or concern about this project to slfolk@u.washington.edu We will make every effort possible to respond to your question and to hear from all parties about this matter.
Sincerely,
Mark A. Emmert
President
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