Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., June 09, 2008 Sivan 6, 5768 | | Israel Time: 06:28 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 06:18 01/06/2008 Researchers' complaints ignored over anthrax vaccine problems By Yossi Melman Tags: Biology, Israel, Antrhrax  Despite the enormous investments in developing an anthrax vaccine, senior employees at the Israel Institute for Biological Research have warned that there are problems with the product. However, institute director Dr. Avigdor Shafferman ignored their claims, and demoted one of the complainants, a senior manager. The Biological Research Institute, one of the most secret institutions in Israel, employs 350 persons and operates with nearly no external supervision. In terms of administration, the institute answers to the Prime Minister's Office, while physical and field security are handled by Malmab - the body responsible for security in the defense establishment at large. According to foreign publications, the institute conducts research and development on biological and chemical weapons, and also develops antidotes - including medicines, vaccines and antibodies - against poison gas, microbes and viruses like anthrax, the plague, chicken pox and cholera. Advertisement Targeting the respiratory system Anthrax is a virus that generally affects animals, but can also harm humans. During the Gulf War in 1991, the United States feared Saddam Hussein might use biological weapons against its troops, and some 40,000 members of its armed forces were vaccinated against the disease, which targets the respiratory system. Biological science researchers at the Nes Tziona institute, then headed by Dr. Shafferman, conducted intensive research on the virus, and as a result of their work, the institute decided to try to develop a vaccine. In 2001, scientific and defense sources said the institute had developed a vaccine for anthrax, and that large-scale production would commence within a few months, enough for the entire population of Israel. Intelligence assessments hold that countries in the Middle East, including Syria, Egypt and Iran, have developed anthrax as a biological weapon. However, a senior manager at the institute, Dr. Yaakov Hadar, recently complained that the institute's management of the anthrax vaccine was problematic. Dr. Hadar presented the issues in writing to Dr. Shafferman, who reprimanded Dr. Hadar, and convinced him to withdraw his letter of complaint. Hadar was later demoted. Dr. Hadar refused to comment on the case, and directed Haaretz to Dr. Shafferman. In its response to Haaretz's inquiry, the Defense Ministry did not acknowledge the claims that there are problems with the vaccination. "During the development of the anthrax vaccination that was carried out on behalf of the defense establishment, there were no problems in the conduct of any party," the ministry spokesman told Haaretz. Dr. Shafferman was appointed to head the institute in 1995, and employees have complained of his "dictatorial rule" several times. The State Comptroller began an investigation last year into allegations that Shafferman allegedly had advised a pharmaceutical firm in developing anti-anthrax and nerve agent medicines, which would have been a conflict of interest. Related articles: Biological institute head suspected of advising foreign companies Shafferman's vaccine Secret IDF anthrax experiment participants develop illnesses Bookmark to del.icio.us   Convicts 4 kneidlach Demand for kosher cuisine swells ranks of Jewish prison chaplains in U.S. All the way to hell Rosner's blog: It's Obama's good intentions that pro-Israel activists fear.   1.   Antharx is not a virus it is a bacteria 07:01  |  Dr. Yehoshua Gozes 01/06/08   2.   Is this the same vaccine that the U.S. 06:09  |  Che Vive 02/06/08   3.   Anthrax 16:16  |  K.O. Long-Rowe 02/06/08   4.   Anthrax great on Railway yards !!! 03:55  |  Rob of Melbourne 03/06/08   5.   anthrax vaccine 06:13  |  m.a. 09/06/08

Read & React Shmuel Rosner: Obama and Jerusalem - did you really believe him? Responses: 173 U.S. proposes trilateral talks with Israel and PA Responses: 76 Defense sources:Talk of major IDF operation in Gaza is premature Responses: 63 Palestinian shepherds: Masked settlers beat us with clubs Responses: 57 More Headlines 23:09 Palestinian shepherds: Masked settlers beat us with clubs 19:40 Migrant worker lightly hurt as Qassams pound Negev 23:53 Egypt says will review price of gas exported to Israel 02:49 Bereaved father to Barak: Leave West Bank roadblocks slated for removal intact 01:19 San Francisco Jewish museum stresses optimism, overlooks Holocaust 18:03 Defense official: Mofaz remark on Iran strike is not state policy 20:38 Amy Winehouse caught on video singing racist chant about 'gooks,' 'pakis' 00:04 Eight leftists hurt in clash with police at rally against separation fence 18:33 Demand for kosher cuisine swells ranks of Jewish prison chaplains in U.S. 19:51 Battered by rockets, Gaza-area kibbutz heads north for Shavuot 14:16 U.S. proposes trilateral talks with Israel, PA 17:04 Palestinian salaries delayed as Israel blocks payments 22:45 Fatah, Hamas: Senegal reconciliation talks reignite 'mutual respect' Previous Editions Select Day 08 jun 06 jun 05 jun 04 jun 03 jun 02 jun 01 jun 30 may 29 may 28 may 27 may 26 may

Special Offers Advertisement Jerusalem of Gold Luxury apartments in Jerusalem's finest location Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Istudy Learn Hebrew in 3 months The Terraces Your Ultimate Coastal Address On Nitza Boulevard, North Netanya Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved