posted 21 years ago
In 1993, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at Atlanta, Georgia forwarded to US Sen. Donald W. Seigle a listing of all biological materials, which the CDC sold to Iraq. On June 21, 1995 that list was updated.
On Feb. 8, 1985, biological materials were shipped from the United States to the Iraq Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC). Two weeks later, on Feb. 22, 1985, another shipment, this time of Class III pathogens, was sent to the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education. On April 26, 1985, more materials were sent, this time to the Ministry of Health in Baghdad. Some months later, right after the July 4th holiday, on July 11, 1985, more Class III pathogens were likewise sent.
In addition to a large May 21, 1985 shipment of the deadly dengue virus sold by the US CDC mentioned in a previous "Bystander" essay, the updated shipment list included vials of the Bhania, Hazara, Kemeroud, Langat, Sandfly, Sindbis, Tahyna, and Thgoto viruses. Dr. Muhammad Imad of the Department of Microbiology, Department of Medicine, University of Basrah, received these at the Iraqi end.
Almost exactly a year later on March 10 and then again on April 21, 1986, shipments were sent to an address listed as Officers City Al-Muthanna, Quartet 710, Street 13 right in the heart of Baghdad. On May 2, 1986, 24 separate American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) items ranging from anthrax to the botulinum virus were invoiced to the University of Baghdad through the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education.
The following year, on Aug. 31, 1987, eight shipments of more biological matter were invoiced to the Iraqi State Company for Drug Industries by the US CDC. On April 26, 1988 two shipments of biological as well as human materials were sent to the IAEC. Again on July 11, 1988, biological materials were sent by the United States in three shipments to the IAEC. As in the Aug. 31, 1987 shipments, these included Escherichia coli, better known as the deadly E-coli.
Two months later, on Sept. 29, 1988, four shipments of anthrax were sent to the Iraq Ministry of Trade from the US. These shipments were accompanied by three shipments of Clostridium perfringens which causes gas gangrene and necrotic tissues. Eventually, these enter the bloodstream and cause systemic illnesses.
The September shipment included Clostridium botulinum, as did the May 1986 shipments. This bacteria causes vomiting, constipation, thirst, fever, double vision, muscle paralysis involving swallowing and then certain death. For good measure two shipments of Bacillus cereus and one of Brucella abortus were thrown in.
More shipments were to follow. One on Jan. 31, 1989, again to the IAEC. Another followed on Jan. 17, 1989 to the same addressee. Eight shipments were also sent to the University of Basrah on Nov. 28, 1989. All from the United States.