CNN is reporting that the Anthrax strain found in Florida was developed in an Iowa laboratory during the 1950's. However, they haven't named the lab or confirmed wether it is still in operation. http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/10/10/anthrax/ My guess it is the National Animal Disease Center (NADC) in Ames, Iowa and it is still in operation. http://www.nadc.ars.usda.gov/ The NADC is large facility on the east side of Ames (also home to Iowa State University, which has a well regarded agricultural and veterinary teaching and research programs). The facility's security is fairly high (chain link fencing with barbed wire, security patrols, "US government property, NO Trespassing" signs, etc.).
From what I recall the NADC is the agricultural animal version of the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
They do a lot of research on nasty animal diseases (Foot and Mouth disease for example). It wouldn't surprise me that they have fiddled around with anthrax. What always made me nervous while living in Ames were the several plots of land (5-10 acres in size ) around the facility. There was nothing (no trees or shrubs, just grass) around them and a small cluster of buildings in the center. There was always one building in the cluster with what appeared to be an incinerator stack protruding from it. -Buzz _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp