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Any nation that can build nuclear weapons can also handle bio-engineering.

YOU overlook my point - you DON'T build these facilities out of 'vapor' - it takes PEOPLE and BUILDINGS and LAB EQUIPMENT and INFRASTRUCTURE (electric utilites to the building, roads for the lab workers and water and sewage service) -

- SOMEWHERE (if the 'tin foil' theories are correct) THESE facilities exist and the *people* in the area *know* about it. Think about the buildings, the factories in YOUR area - for the most part you *know* what these places produce - how much more so do you think the intelligence agencies *know* these things (THEY can track shipment of critical 'gear' from manufactures as would be USED in such labs) -

- PLUS, a LOT of this automated, sophisticated 'lab gear' requires constant maintenance (Field Service) and this service comes from the competent service personnel direct from the factory - follow the trail of personnel and you're 'one up' on what-is-where ...

(And YOU only thought your office's Xerox copier had factory service and support!)

That all this would be necessary if the equipment were purchased from elewhwere is true. However, while a significant portion of the Chinese population is engaged in blue-collar tasks, from planting rice to factory work, the Chinese have developed their best talents in the field of science and engineering since the days when China was closed to the West. The best of the best get a thorough technical/scientific education, and have been kept up to date via western journals since well back in the cold war days.

It is by no means inconcievable that the Chinese have obtained the designs for western equipment and built knock-offs or even designed their own and manufactured it. Especially when you factor in the pervasive security breaches evident in the trade practices of the Clinton Administration. If Los Alamos was penetrated, then what other facilities may have also been compromised?

Never, never underestimate the capabilities of a potential enemy.