Report: Georgia State’s germ lab a serious security threat

A Georgia State University laboratory building that contains some of the world’s deadliest germs has insufficient security to prevent an intruder from breaking into the facility, according to a report by congressional investigators released today.

The GSU lab building lacks security barriers, sufficient camera monitoring and security at entrances, said the report by the Government Accountability Office.

Several members of Congress called for immediate security improvements at the GSU facility located in downtown Atlanta.

“Today’s report shows a lack of minimum standards for perimeter security at research labs handling the most dangerous agents and diseases, including some that are incurable,” said U.S. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce that requested the inquiry into several labs around the nation.

The report also criticized the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for approving the facility’s security plan despite the weaknesses.

“Why hasn’t CDC suspended the permits for those labs until they come up to standard?” said committee member U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.).

Congressional investigators reviewed the exterior and perimeter security of the GSU facility. They did not investigate the security inside the building, where there are about 50 labs.

GSU officials say they received a preliminary briefing on the review in March and have been improving the security.

“A safe and secure BSL 4 lab has always been a high priority,” said DeAnna Hines, assistant vice president for university relations. “Georgia State looks forward to reviewing the report and working with the GAO toward implementing recommendations that will enhance the lab’s safety and security standards.”