Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate - DHS to test biological sensors in subway system

The subways of Boston and Somerville will be under attack from the DHS this summer. Does anyone have any opinions as to the validity of such a test?

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2012/05/17/homeland_security_to_release_bacteria_in_subway_st ations_during_testing_of_sensors_in_cambridge_and_ somerville/

"CAMBRIDGE - The federal government is planning to release small amounts of dead bacteria in subway stations here and in Somerville beginning this summer to test sensors designed to detect biological agents unleashed in terrorist attacks. But some people voiced skepticism over the initiative during a public meeting Wednesday about the program.

The US Department of Homeland Security will release a type of bacteria that, when alive, is commonly found in soil and food and cleaning products, inside the Davis, Harvard Square, and Porter Square stations, DHS scientist Anne Hultgren said during a meeting at the Cambridge YMCA in Central Square...."

When I was with my City's HAZMAT team we had this cool little toy that would look for biological material. Basically it would look for the DNA/RNA in the sample. Took a while to run each sample.

"DHS to test biological sensors"

Anyone know where I can go give a sample?

"Authorities do not believe the small amounts being used pose threats to anyone..."

Where have we heard that before?

"Authorities do not believe the small amounts being used pose threats to anyone..."

Where have we heard that before?

Bikini atoll? :o

Or maybe DHS is referring to common sense?

"Authorities do not believe the small amounts being used pose threats to anyone..."

Where have we heard that before?

If you were a marine being stood up in front of an A-bomb in 1957:mad:

This article mentions that DHS os spending $5.7 Billion for a BioWatch program. I wonder if this is the service they used to test the air in the subways:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/positiveid-corporations-m-band-system-featured-in-businessweek-article-on-57-billion-biowatch-opportunity-2012-06-25

"...PositiveID's M-BAND, its Microfluidics-based Bioagent Autonomous Networked Detector, was developed under contract for DHS, and is an early warning system designed to detect the intentional release of aerosolized biological agents. It runs autonomously for up to 30 days between service cycles, continuously analyzing air samples, typically in high-traffic areas, for the detection of bacteria, viruses, and toxins with results in as little as three hours. Results from individual M-BAND instruments are reported via a secure wireless network in real time to give an accurate and up to date status for fielded instruments in aggregate. Designed with a high level of operational flexibility, M-BAND can be remotely set to detect for DNA-based pathogens alone, with or without either RNA-based organisms or toxins, or for all three types of pathogens simultaneously at remotely programmable intervals..."

http://www.positiveidcorp.com/board.html
Playing Follow the Money, on the Board of Directors is:
Ned L. Siegel
Ned L. Siegel has served as a member of our Board of Directors since February 2011. He has served as President of the Siegel Group, Inc. since September 1997, and Managing Member of the Siegel Consulting Group, LLC since November 2009, which provide real estate development and realty management services. From October 2007 until January 2009, he served as United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. From September 2006 until January 2007, he served as Senior Advisor to the United States Mission for the 61st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. From January 2003 until October 2007, Mr. Siegel was a member of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. From 2003 until 2007, he served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Caswell-Massey Company, Ltd., a world-wide quality bath and body, home fragrance and gifts company. Mr. Siegel was appointed Vice Chairman of Alternative Fuels Americas, Inc. in January of 2011. Mr. Siegel earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Connecticut in 1973 and a juris doctorate from the Dickinson School of Law in 1976. Mr. Siegel was nominated to the Board of Directors due to his past experience with government appointments and services and his managerial experience.

"CAMBRIDGE - The federal government is planning to release small amounts of dead bacteria in subway stations here and in Somerville beginning this summer

As someone who rode the T for 17 very long years, I must ask-why would the fed'l gov't need to release bacteria, dead or otherwise, for this? There's plenty down there already...