National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories

National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) building.

The National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, or NEIDL, is a biosciences facility of Boston University located near Boston Medical Center on Albany Street in the South End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts.

The lab is part of a national network of secure facilities that study infectious diseases, whether naturally occurring or introduced through bioterrorism. The Labs will include a BSL-4 laboratory. On February 2, 2006, Boston Medical Center received regulatory approval from the federal government to fund construction of a biosafety laboratory on its medical campus in Boston.

There has been strong community opposition to the planned building, and BSL-2 level research did not begin until 2012 due to court injunctions. BSL-3 and BSL-4 level research is still anticipated to be launched in the future after alleviating community opposition.[1]

In early 2014, BSL-4 research was still being opposed by community groups including the Union Park Neighborhood Association and Boston City Councilor Charles Yancey who was conducting hearings on its safety and recommending a city-wide ban on BSL-4 research. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh was still researching the issues involved. NEIDL was seeking permission of the Boston Public Health Commission to do BSL-4 research.[2]

Notes and references

  1. "BU Questions Claims Behind Ordinance to Ban BSL-4 Research: City Council Hearing on April 16", BU Press Release, March 17th, 2014
  2. Huffman, Zack, "Walsh Weighing Biolab Options", The Boston Courant, April 11-April 17 2014 issue

External links

Coordinates: 42°20′10″N 71°04′07″W / 42.336016°N 71.068593°W / 42.336016; -71.068593

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