Product Description

Strictly off limits to the public, Plum Island is home to virginal beaches, cliffs, forests, ponds -- and the deadliest germs that have ever roamed the planet. Lab 257 blows the lid off the stunning true nature and checkered history of Plum Island. It shows that the seemingly bucolic island in the shadow of New York City is a ticking biological time bomb that none of us can safely ignore.

Based on declassified government documents, in-depth interviews, and access to Plum Island itself, this is an eye-opening, suspenseful account of a federal government germ laboratory gone terribly wrong. For the first time, Lab 257 takes you deep inside this secret world and presents startling revelations on virus outbreaks, biological meltdowns, infected workers, the periodic flushing of contaminated raw sewage into area waters, and the insidious connections between Plum Island, Lyme disease, and the deadly West Nile virus. The book also probes what's in store for Plum Island's new owner, the Department of Homeland Security, in this age of bioterrorism.

Lab 257 is a call to action for those concerned with protecting present and future generations from preventable biological catastrophes.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #143502 in Books
• Published on: 2005-08-01
• Released on: 2005-08-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780060781842
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
"Startling...[Carroll] raises critical questions about the ever-changing balance between science, security and safety...Right on target." (Popular Science )

About the Author

Michael Christopher Carroll spent seven years researching and writing Lab 257. A native of Long Island and an avid outdoorsman, Carroll is now general counsel of a New York-based finance company. He lives on Long Island and in New York City.

Customer Reviews

A glimpse into a "biological Three Mile Island"
Like THE RIVER, author Michael C. Carroll has a lot of evidence some of it circumstantial and some of it solid that suggests the spread of Lyme Disease and even West Nile Virus could be the work of the US Government's research on Plum Island. Nestled in Long Island Sound off the coast of Connecticut and not far from New York City this "biological Three Mile Island" was established to do research on bio warfare using techniques that were developed by the Nazi's and Japanese during World War II. Using Project Paperclip to offer refuge to German scientists (and Japense as well) after the war U.S. scientists benefited from the knowledge that was developed on POW's and concentration camp victims to develop new and better ways to kill and disable our enemies.

Lab 257 was the focal point of much of this research. The lab had consistent failures in isolating many of the viruses and bacteria that they studied. In fact the negative pressure environment where the animal bodies were to be destroyed was wired incorrectly blowing potential viruses and bacteria everywhere prior to their disposal. Using information from people who worked there (some anonymously), declassified files and other credible sources of information Carroll makes a compelling case for the carelessness of our government in research that may have helped spread Lyme disease infected ticks and other viruses into the environment.

While it certainly is important to understand how many of these viruses and bacteria work, it's even more important to protect the public from contamination. The sloppy methods used at the lab put many people that live in the surrounding area at risk. Since takne over by the Department of Homeland Security, Americans are in the dark as to the plans for this biological waste disposal site. Whatever is studied on the island is supposed to stay there (including trash) unfortunately many things that were supposed to stay there did not including workers who were inadvertantly infected with a virus that behaves quite similarly to AIDS but is found in swine.

With the turmoil in the world it is important to understand what terrorists might plan to damage the security and destroy lives in the U.S. but the question of what the cost to the public safety has never been adequately answered.

Important and Disturbing
Ever wonder about the origins of Lyme Disease and West Nile Virus? Lab 257 begins by presenting an interesting circumstantial case that the outbreak of these strange maladies in the U.S. may be traced to the secret government facility at Plum Island. The author then proceeds to explain how, thanks to inadequate funding, managerial complacency, and insufficient governmental oversight, this once state-of-the-art animal disease laboratory has degenerated into an environmental hazard of startling proportions, making future outbreaks of other frightening biological agents all too possible. The book concludes with some useful suggestions regarding alternatives to the current situation at Plum Island, acknowledging the heightened importance of its charter in the post-9/11 world. While some may find the details a bit dense in parts, it's a fine piece of investigative journalism that cries out for concerned citizens and politicians to take notice.

-Kevin Joseph, author of "The Champion Maker"

Compelling reading
This book presents a compelling circumstancial case that we must be ever mindful of the research being conducted around us. The photographs, government documents, news, and personal accounts of the operations of Plum Island reveal our hubris after WWII in believing we could control Mother Nature and the drastic consequences that hubris can cause. While I am not sure that one can prove the origin of Lyme disease, there are compelling arguments laid out for lab failures, poor maintenance, and potential contamination of the surrounding environment as a result. The disconcerting reality is that we must be ever mindful of the work our government is doing and ever watchful of how that work is conducted.
Moreover, it is disturbing that we welcomed Nazi scientists to a restricted government bioweapons facility to share the work they had started in Germany as the result of human experiments. We should never allow our government to sink to such levels in the name of discovery.
As a scientist and a citizen, I found this work dark and compelling. I think each person should read it with a questioning eye and determine for themselves whether they agree with the arguments laid out.