Public hearing for proposed bioterror lab

People who live near a proposed bioterrorism lab will be able to respond to the idea next week. The University of Georgia is hosting the public meeting in Athens to answer questions and listen to comments about the environmental impact. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is considering a site near UGA to build the lab. Scientists there would study bio- and agro-terrorism and emerging diseases like avian flu.

UGA courts new federal bio-defense lab

If UGA officials get their way, deadly viruses like Ebola and West Nile, may soon be housed at a new multi-million dollar research lab near the university.

The 520-thousand square foot facility is expected to generate hundreds of lab-related jobs.

But environmentalists are saying "no thank you."

Following 9-11, security breaches at the federal bio-defense lab in New York, forced the Department of Homeland Security to build a more secure facility.

Georgia is one of a dozen states now vying for the 47-million dollar governmental research lab.

UGA is one of the finalist sites under consideration.

However, environmentalists like Richard Derose, are saying 'not in my backyard.'

Derose ran for mayor of Athens in 2006.

Derose says, "There's not enough resources or people that you need in place to take care of any kind of emergency. Being at ground zero here, everybody could be exposed."

However, not everyone agrees with Derose's assessment of the potential threat to Athens.

Dr. David Lee heads UGA's bio-lab acquisition team. He is confident UGA and Athens can handle any problems.

"I would not hesitate to move next door to this facility. Honestly, I have kids there. I live here and I have no concern," says Lee, a cancer research specialist with UGA.

Federal officials say they'll narrow the selection of sites this June.

It's expected the winner will be announced by late 2008.

The plant is expected to be operational in 2014.