The Department of Health and Tripler Army Medical Center would have greater leeway to import microorganisms into Hawaii under a bill passed by the Legislature on Wednesday. Bill allows imports
for germ researchAssociated Press
The Lingle administration bill is intended to allow the agencies to study microorganisms to better prepare for acts of bioterrorism and other public health emergencies.
It allows the Health Department and Tripler to import certain classes of microorganisms without review and permit approval by the state Department of Agriculture.
Both still would be subject to Agriculture Department requirements regarding notification, labeling and inspection. But they would be able to transfer microorganisms between them without Department of Agriculture approval so long as they provide advance notification.
Agriculture Department approval would be needed if either agency wanted to transfer microorganisms to other governmental or research bodies.
House lawmakers unanimously approved Senate Bill 1260, Senate Draft 1, on Wednesday with reservations raised by Rep. Alex Sonson (D, Pearl City-Waipahu).
"It allows the DOH only to bring in microorganisms that they are able to contain. Unfortunately, the same kind of standard doesn't apply to Tripler," Sonson said. "I guess we just have to trust them that they will not bring in something that they cannot hold."
The bill also allows some private biotechnology firms to import microorganisms for the same purpose under certain conditions. The bill now goes to Gov. Linda Lingle for final approval.
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