Sunday, March 13, 2011

Scientists Lack Safety Rights

A recent Washington Examiner post says that"More than 500,000 work in laboratories across the United States, and scientists say it is vital to take steps to protect themselves from the diseases they are studying."  The article goes on to say that  it is estimated that 3 out of 1000 lab workers acquire work-related infections. 

The article, however, does not comment on the overwhelming number of scientists that get infected from work from a non-determined exposure and are consequently prevented to correlate it with their work environment due to a lack of scientist rights.

The problem is that scientists do not have the legal rights nor union rights to ensure a safe workplace or to protect the public from negligent release of bio agents.  The majority of injured scientists who fall ill from exposures at work are kicked to the curb with no avenue for directed medical care.  They become a countless statistic. 

No federal agency, including OSHA has any real jurisdiction over the majority of biotech labs to protect the worker or the public.

The lack of rights to workers is a major problem.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/2011/03/scientists-say-laboratory-workers-must-be-diligent




Tuesday, March 8, 2011

A Lack of Public Safety in Nanotechnology

Researcher Proves that Nanoparticles Bioaccumulate in Organisms

Public health and safety implications are implicated in the new nanotech field. In a new research study, it has been documented that nanoparticles that are released in the environment can be subsequently ingested by other organisms (worms) and bioaccumulate into the tissues.


This causes serious concern for the health and wellbeing of the public. Bioaccumulation of nanoparticles could be the cause of new illness, disease and cancer. Some believe that Morgellon’s sufferers have acquired their horrible illness from some nano-experiment gone wrong which was released in environment.

Scientists working with advanced technologies such as genetic engineering, embryonic stem cell technologies, nanotechnology and synthetic biology have unfettered regulatory freedom to research on these dangerous technologies without any adequate oversight or proper biocontainment constraints to protect the public.

A lack of freedom of speech and protections for scientists who speak out on these public health and safety issues, enhance the problem in keeping the public safe.

Referrences:
1. http://www.kentucky.com/2011/03/07/1660801/uk-researchers-findings-raise.html
2. http://www.blip.tv/file/4712025
3. http://watchdogonscience.blogspot.com/2010/07/morgellonsnew-emerging-diseasebut-how.html