Washington

Eight months after the anthrax attacks that brought the bioterrorist threat into sharp relief, the US Congress has passed a $4.6-billion bill to prepare for future assaults. It includes measures to control researchers' access to microbes that can be used as weapons — but scientific societies say they are happy with the new legislation.

Under the bill, researchers from countries listed by the Department of State as sponsors of terrorism — Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria — will be banned from working on 42 microbes and toxins in US labs. Anyone with a criminal record will also be excluded, and security for labs working with the agents will be stepped up. A national database will also be created to monitor research on these agents.

Last autumn, the House of Representatives backed a bill to prevent all non-citizens apart from permanent residents from working with the agents — which alarmed scientists who felt this would restrict legitimate research (see Nature 414, 3–4; 200110.1038/35102219). But scientific societies are satisfied with the final legislation. “We feel pleased that Congress has worked with us to come up with a reasonable set of regulations,” says Janet Shoemaker, director of public and scientific affairs for the American Society for Microbiology.

The bill also provides funds for stockpiling drugs and vaccines, and for improving drinking-water security. To protect the food supply, funding will be provided for research and training to detect, prevent and respond to agricultural bioterrorism. As part of this effort, an early-warning system will coordinate diagnostic labs, agricultural research facilities and public-health agencies.

The bill also addresses terrorism against animal experiments. “We are pleased that it includes increased criminal penalties for terrorist activities against animal facilities,” says Jordan Cohen, president of the Association of American Medical Colleges.