BOSTON -- Nearly 150 scientists and scholars, including two Nobel laureates, asked city officials Tuesday to block a high-security biological research laboratory that Boston University plans to build in the city's South End neighborhood.

The scientists, as well as neighborhood and environmental groups, sent a letter to Mayor Thomas Menino and city councilors asking them to nix the lab, which would house scientists researching vaccines and handling deadly agents that could be used in a bioterror attack. The letter was also sent to Boston University trustees.

"There are real and potentially catastrophic risks to the health and safety of people in the local and surrounding communities," the letter reads.

Faculty from Harvard, MIT, Boston University, Boston College and other schools signed the letter, including Harvard's Dr. Eric Chivian and Dr. Bernard Lown, co-founders of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985. Noam Chomsky, a prominent MIT linguistics professor and political
activist, also signed.

Boston University received a $128 million federal grant last fall to build the lab. The project still needs federal and state environmental reviews, and Boston Redevelopment Authority approval is pending. Construction is scheduled to start next year, and the laboratory is not expected to open until 2007, BU spokeswoman Ellen Berlin said.

The University of Texas received funding for a similar laboratory in Galveston.

The Boston and Galveston facilities will join the five other North American labs that already handle agents of the highest safety designation, including anthrax, plague and Ebola.

BU School of Public Health professor Dr. David Ozonoff, who signed the letter, said he at first supported the project but later changed his mind.

"I have become very strongly convinced that this laboratory does not serve a public health function," he said. "In fact, it's
counterproductive with respect to public health, and it does present risk to the community."

Berlin said the laboratory will be safe, and that the plan has support from researchers in the region. "We believe that Boston is the best place for this laboratory," she said.

Seth Gitell, spokesman for Mayor Menino, said the mayor is behind the project, and is confident the lab does not pose safety risks.

"This new biolab will help anchor a life sciences region in that
section of the city. It means jobs now and into the future," Gitell
said.

© Copyright 2004 Associated Press.

© Copyright 2004 The New York Times Company