How to Catch a Lab Leak
A deadly anthrax outbreak in Sverdlovsk, Russia in 1979 was initially blamed on contaminated meat but later revealed as a bioweapons lab leak. Matthew Meselson's investigation confirmed the leak in 1992, emphasizing the importance of scientific inquiries and international collaboration in addressing biosecurity threats.
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In 1979, a deadly anthrax outbreak in Sverdlovsk, Russia, was initially attributed to contaminated meat by Soviet authorities but was later revealed to be a bioweapons lab leak. Matthew Meselson played a crucial role in investigating the incident, leading to the confirmation of the lab leak in 1992. Meselson's work highlighted the importance of scientific investigations in uncovering such incidents. He shared his experiences of trying to access Sverdlovsk to gather evidence, facing challenges and diplomatic hurdles along the way. Despite initial doubts and conflicting explanations, Meselson's persistence and collaboration with Russian officials eventually shed light on the true cause of the outbreak. His efforts underscored the significance of international cooperation and transparency in addressing biosecurity threats.
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