Scientists say $1.5 billion in Biodefence research is a Waste

750 of the 1143 scientists the NIH funded to study bacterial and fungal pathogens say the emphasis on biodefence research has diverted researchers away from potential breakthroughs in basic research into germs that - unlike putative weapons agents - already cause significant disease.

The US has poured money into researching potential bioweapons such as the bacteria that cause anthrax, plague and tularaemia, and viruses such as Ebola, Marburg and smallpox. Biodefence funding jumped from $53 million in 2001 to $1.4 billion in 2004 with a projected $1.5 billion in 2005.