US outlines plans for dealing with bioterror

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
To deal with potential bioterror, the government will focus on buying new medicines for anthrax, smallpox and acute radiation syndrome, according to a Bush administration plan. The plan was released Wednesday, the same day that Democratic lawmakers spoke of misgivings about the government's efforts in preparing to confront a weapon of mass destruction. The Health and Human Services Department terminated the largest contract, $877 million (€646 million) for an anthrax vaccine, through a procurement program known as Project BioShield. "BioShield is a new program. That said, new doesn't necessarily equate with a license to make mistakes," said Democratic Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee in the House of Representatives. "Yet, mistakes have been made with regard to the development and implementation of the program," he said.