The rapid pace of vaccine development convinces people that they are safe from infectious diseases. Unfortunately, the 2001 anthrax epidemic, which killed five people, reveals the vulnerability of public health, suggesting that further research into contagious epidemics should be developed suddenly. In response to this problem, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded Boston University $128 million in funding to build a leading new facility known as the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory (NEIDL or BU Biolab), which would be located on Boston University's medical campus, to combat contagious diseases. In addition to conducting research on infectious diseases, the Biolab BU will also carry out research to prepare for bioterrorism (Le Duc). According to the Center for Disease Control, there are four levels of increased containment for infection research ranging from biosafety levels 1 to 4 (BSL-1 to BSL-4). While much epidemic research is conducted in laboratories with levels of BSL-2 to BSL-3, BU's Biolab, with the highest precautionary level, BSL-4, will conduct research on rare contagious epidemics including anthrax, Ebola and plague. which are usually life threatening. Although construction of the Biolab BU was completed in 2008, no research is conducted as legal approval from the local community is required for the Biolab BU to fully operate BSL-4 research. One reason local residents are not approved is concerns about safety. Since the study of dangerous infections with an unknown cure will take place at the BU Biolab, the fear of the release of deadly pathogens is increasing among the public. The... medium of paper... that kills millions of lives around the world. Think about the anthrax bioterrorism attack in 2001 and how it jeopardized community safety and security. What would protect the community from this disastrous attack in the future? Works Cited Cataneo, Emily. “High tension at the BioLab BU meeting.” NEIDL October 6, 2010. Web.February 25, 2012.Hernandez, Gabrielle. “BU biosafety lab heats up criticism.” Daily tufts. October 20, 2009.Web. February 25, 2012.Keith, Jean Hennelly. “Leading laboratory for biosafety”. Bostonia Winter 2003-2004: 22-25.Web. February 25, 2012.Landry, Lauren. “Mayor Menino Approves BU Biolab: Ebola and Plague Head to South End.” Network. February 25, 2012Le Duc, James W., et al. “Framework for Biosafety Level 4 Laboratory Operator Leadership and Training.” Emerging infectious diseases 14.11 (2008): 1685-1688. Web.25 Feb. 2012.