JUST WHAT ARE THEY TESTING? – November 5, 2001
stockpatrol.com
Something has been troubling us. Where are they getting all this anthrax? No, not the criminals who have been dumping the bacteria in our postal system. The FBI and local law enforcement officials are on that case. We’re talking about all of these companies that are suddenly selling anthrax tests, preventions and remedies. Maybe you’ve noticed; but most of the noise about anthrax related merchandise has not been coming from major drug firms and biotech players. It’s been generated by small, little-known companies, many of which are under-capitalized, struggling to carve a niche in their marketplace and, coincidentally, increase the value of their stock.
Have these companies really been testing their products on anthrax – because if they haven’t, how can they possibly be certain that the products work? And if they have, we renew our question, where are they getting the anthrax? Americans know by now that anthrax is tested at various hospitals, laboratories and government facilities. But, fortunately, it is not supposed to be easily available to private citizens. We have to assume, therefore – make that hope – that each of these companies hasn’t been conducting tests at its own facilities. So have these small companies arranged with recognized laboratories to conduct tests? If they have, how come they haven’t been saying so, or even confirming independent test results They don’t have to name the lab being used – why give the terrorists any more information – but they might at least verify that independent tests have been performed – if they were.
This makes us a little uneasy. Are laboratories set up to conduct this kind of test for every tiny company that knocks on the door? Wouldn’t you like to think there is some screening process? If not, could some disreputable sort simply form a company – or take over a public shell – in order to appropriate a vial or two of anthrax under the guise of conducting tests?
One more thing about those tests. Companies began “introducing” anti-anthrax products that had been rushed to market within weeks after the first case of anthrax hit the news. Could testing have been completed so quickly? If these businesses can act that quickly, maybe they should be heading the investigations. |
