Does anyone else find it a bit strange that a ricin vaccine breakthrough was announced in North Texas (UT) just a few weeks ago and now we have this discovery of ricin at a UT dorm?
http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/tv/stories/wfaa060130_mo_ricin.5509d488.html
sorry..the link did not work.
Here is the article:
Dallas human trial of ricin vaccine successful
10:59 PM CST on Monday, January 30, 2006
By JANET ST. JAMES / WFAA-TV
A scientific discovery in North Texas could be one of the biggest breakthroughs in bioterrorism in years.
Researchers in Dallas have tested the first vaccine for the deadly agent ricin that currently has no antidote and is almost always fatal.
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Janet St. James reports
Jeff Waugh was a living experiment for the research against bioterrorism. Last year, he was one of 15 people who received a test vaccine for ricin.
He said he never felt in danger.
"Little bit of pain in the arm just like any shot, but that was it," Waugh said.
Scientists at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center developed the vaccine because of the potential hazards ricin poses to people. Ricin is a deadly toxin made from the bean of the castor plant, which makes castor oil.
The toxin can be put in food and water or sprayed as an aerosol.
Researchers felt the urgency after two years ago ricin powder was discovered in the mail room of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.
"That's the whole point of a vaccine, it acts partially as a deterrent for people who want to do bad things and it can also protect people who are in the line of fire like soldiers," said Dr. Ellen Vitetta, ricin researcher.
The UT Southwestern vaccine safely and effectively protected against ricin poisoning.
And while Waugh doesn't consider himself a target for bioterrorism, he said he does consider himself a soldier in the fight against it.
"Just the knowledge that this is out there and I had a part in it is a great thing," he said.
However, the tests were just a small phase one human trial, which means larger trials will be needed.
But the Federal Drug Administration and the federal government are already excited and interested in the ricin vaccine for much broader development and potential use for soldiers.
bttt