WSU Facility On Alert After Vandalism Threat

Wed., Oct. 27, 1999

From Staff Reports

Washington State University is increasing security around its biotechnology research facilities today in response to a nationwide threat of vandalism.

Campus authorities are taking seriously the threat of a “National Day of Action” targeting crops, equipment, buildings and vehicles at institutions where biotechnology research is conducted. Personnel who work in research areas are also on alert, WSU officials said.

“We are going to have some added security this week. It’s strictly precautionary,” said WSU Police Chief Bill Mercier.

Mercier said there has been no threat against WSU, “made or implied,” but the university is taking extra precautions nonetheless.

The university is reacting to a nationwide “Reclaim the Seeds” campaign by groups opposing genetic engineering. Protesters are being urged to take “direct action against any institution that engages in genetic engineering,” Mercier said.

“Clearly, advances in our society in the areas of health, nutrition, food production and environmental improvement have resulted from past discoveries,” said Jim Carlson, associate dean of agriculture and associate director of the Agricultural Research Center. According to Carlson, WSU conducts laboratory research on some genetically engineered crops such as potatoes and wheat. But those projects are interspersed with other basic research projects.

“We have no reason to think we are targeted,” Carlson said. “We are just trying to be vigilant and be sure our research is conducted in a proper manner with all the prudent safeguards.”

The University of Idaho also conducts agricultural research on genetically altered crops.

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