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Biologists Enlist in Anthrax Hunt
By THE NEW YORK TIMES
aying "it is very likely that one or more of you know this individual," the
Federal Bureau of Investigation has asked the world's largest group of
microbiologists for help in tracking down whoever mailed the anthrax that killed
five people in the fall.
The group, the American Society of Microbiology in Washington, said yesterday that
it mailed an electronic copy of the letter, from Van Harp, assistant director of the
Washington field office of the F.B.I., on Tuesday to its 32,000 members in the United
States. The society has 43,000 members worldwide.
In his letter, Mr. Harp gave away no secrets of the investigation but restated known
facts and appealed to the membership for help.
Recent information, he said, "leads investigators to believe that a single person is most
likely responsible for these mailings." The person, he said, has laboratory experience
and probably has or had "legitimate access" to dangerous germs "based on his or her
selection of the Ames strain," the highly virulent Bacillus anthracis in the attacks.
The killer, Mr. Harp added, "has the technical knowledge and/or expertise to produce a
highly refined and deadly product." <<
nytimes.com |
