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Published online 20 February 2008 | Nature 451, 879 (2008) | doi:10.1038/451879a
News in Brief
No jail for geneticist who posted bacteria to artist
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Please note this is News in Brief, and so will be a short article.
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As one would expect, there's quite a bit more to the story than the Nature clip can cover. It is good to see that the scientist won't face prison time for something innocuous and common. There is a very good documentary released last year which concentrates on the artist, his treatment by the government, and cultural issues, but does also cover Ferrel. The artists were involved in exhibits provoking thought and investigating public perceptions on biotechnology. http://www.strangeculture.net/
The link to the related article in Nature 429, 690 ; 2004 doesn`t work. Thnx.
Apparently the government believes that mail (other than the one sent by Ferrell) is sterile and contains no E.coli or Bacillus. I have to admit to an incriminating fact that I, for one, do not sterilize my outgoing mail!