非法偷运病菌不仅是学术道德、走私学术产权问题,更是违背下列法律:《出口及进口许可法》(Export and Import PermitsAct)﹑《运输危险物品法》(Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act)与《人类病原体及毒素法》(Human Pathogens and Toxins Act)等。加拿大警方通缉于伟玲女士,中国警方是否会对她的走私病菌行为采取措施,大家拭目以待。
Two former Canadian Food Inspection Agency researchershave been charged with breach of trust after an RCMP investigation into theiralleged attempts to commercialize CFIA property.
The agency first contacted the RCMP in March 2011,beginning an investigation — dubbed Project Sentimental — into Dr. KlausNielsen, 67, of Richmond, Ont., and Wei Ling Yu, 48, of Ottawa.
Dr. Klaus Nielsen is facing oneCriminal Code charge, as well as several charges under the Export and ImportPermits Act, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and the Human Pat hogensand Toxins Act.(CFIA website)
More than a year later, in October 2012, RCMP and Ottawapolice intercepted Nielsen as he was making his way to the Ottawa airport,according to an RCMP media release issued Wednesday, which made the case publicfor the first time.
An Ottawa fire department team that deals with hazardousmaterials was also dispatched.
Nielsen was on his way to China at the time, RCMPspokesman Sgt. Richard Rollings said.
"We believe Ms. Yu is currently in China,"Rollings added. A Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued for Yu.
While the investigation did not begin until 2011, thebreach of trust charge dates back to Sept. 9, 2005, according to Rollings.
17 vials of pathogen found insearch
Seventeen vials of pathogen — live brucella bacteria thatcan infect livestock and humans — were found while searching Nielsen, RCMPallege.
He was arrested for breach of trust by a public officerand the unsafe transportation of a human pathogen. He faces several chargesunder the Export and Import Permits Act, the Transportation of Dangerous GoodsAct and the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act.
Nielsen, who was charged last week, appeared in courtWednesday morning. He is next scheduled to appear in court on April 17.
Yu, Nielsen co-authored journalpaper in 2010
In 2003, Nielsen was one of six CFIA researchers awardedthe Technology Transfer Award for developing a 15-second test for detectingbrucellosis in cattle.
The U.S. company Diachemix manufactured and licensed thetest.
"In Canada, the populations of Canadian cattle andfarmed bison have been officially brucellosis-free since 1984," said aposting about the award on the CFIA's website. "Nonetheless, a reservoirof disease in Canadian wildlife means that Canada must regularly survey itscattle for brucellosis. And while the disease is under control here, it takes amajor toll on people and animals in other parts of the world.
"Known as 'undulant fever' in humans, brucellosislasts for months, inducing an intermittent fever and debilitating, flu-likesymptoms. In developing countries, where dairy products from diseased cattle,sheep and goats are consumed, thousands of cases of human brucellosis stilloccur."
In 2010, the Croatian Medical Journal published apaper, written by Yu and Nielsen, about their efforts to detect brucellabacteria.
The RCMP's investigation into Nielsen and Yu alsoinvolved the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Department of ForeignAffairs and International Trade.
"This complex investigation drew on resources from avariety of federal departments, law enforcement agencies and firstresponders," the RCMP media release said.
"The RCMP, in collaboration with their partners,were able to quickly and efficiently mobilize and respond to this threat whichhelped minimize the public’s risk of exposure to these contagioussubstances."
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said in a statement that"the CFIA continues to make security a priority and has fully co-operatedand assisted the RCMP in its investigation."
"As this matter is before the courts, we cannotcomment further," he said.
Former Canadian Food Inspection Agency employee arrestedand charged for attempting to export dangerous pathogen
A former Canadian Food Inspection Agency employee hasbeen charged with breach of trust after he was allegedly trying to exportdangerous pathogens from the country.
A former Canadian Food Inspection Agency employee hasbeen charged after he was allegedly arrested while trying to leave the countrywith dangerous pathogens.
Dr. Klaus Nielsen, 67, from Richmond, Ontario, wasscheduled to leave for China but was arrested on his way to the Ottawa airportlast Oct. 24, according to RCMP Sergeant Richard Rollings.
Nielson was found in possession of 17 vials of livebrucella bacteria, which can infect livestock and people, causing flu-likesymptoms that take weeks to treat. He has been charged with breach of trust andmultiple criminal offences related to transporting a human pathogen.
Nielsen is believed to be working with another formerCFIA employee — Wei Ling Yu, 48, from Ottawa. Yu is believed to be in China anda Canada-wide warrant has been issued for her.
The RCMP was first informed of Nielsenand Yu’s activity in March 2011 by the food inspection agency. “The two aresuspected of commercializing intellectual property, owned by the CFIA and aprivate company, for personal gain,” said Sgt. Rollings.
According to a Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s onlinearchive from 2003, Nielsen was a lead researcher in detecting brucella inlivestock.
He and his team received recognition for developing ahigh-speed test for brucella that does not require a laboratory.
“The technology itself is portable, powered by a laptop computer,and able to be loaded onto the back of a donkey if that is the best way toreach remote areas,” the food inspection agency’s website says.
“In Canada, the populations of Canadian cattle and farmedbison have been officially brucellosis-free since 1984. Nonetheless, areservoir of disease in Canadian wildlife means that Canada must regularlysurvey its cattle for brucellosis.”
U.S.-based Diachemix — described on its website as aleader in rapid diagnostic tests — agreed to license and manufacture the test.A company spokesperson said he could not comment on Nielsen’s arrest.
According to a paper on detecting brucella that Nielsenand Yu published in 2010, they worked out of the food inspection agency’sFallowfield laboratory in Nepean, Ontario.
Nielsen is next due in court on April 17 in Ottawa.