Paranoia and poisoned justice
When Dr Thomas Butler noticed vials of plague bacteria were missing from his Texas university lab, he did the right thing and informed the FBI - only to find himself the prime suspect in a bio-terrorism investigation. Now he’s in jail, but his fate was sealed by paranoia and prejudice.
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The scientific community is still reeling. “Rather than demonstrating the importance of strict care in the handling of research materials,” wrote the Nobel prizewinners, “the determination to convict Dr Butler and put him in jail sends a strong message to the scientific community. It says: this 62-year-old man, who voluntarily reported missing material and cooperated with federal investigators, is now being repaid with a ruined career and a personal cost from which he and his family will never recover.” It also says that the next time a scientist misplaces 30 vials of a dangerous pathogen, they’re hardly likely to call the FBI. It says that the biggest casualty in the Tom Butler case might be goodwill between the administration and the bio-weapons community, just when it needs it most.
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Tuesday 31 Aug 2004 | Paul | The Pit
