NIH Response to Open Letter.

The article presents information on a scientific open letter from scientists in the microbiology community. The letter argues that biodefense research efforts have diverted resources from nonbiodefense research at National Institute of Health (NIH). The letter focuses only on support for research on the agents that cause tularemia, anthrax, plague, glanders, melioidosis, and brucellosis. NIAID biodefense funding is used to support research on a much broader list of more than 50 pathogens, which include traditional biodefense pathogens, such as those that cause anthrax and smallpox, as well as newly emerging infectious agents such as the SARS coronavirus and pathogens that cause diseases that affect people around the world on a daily basis.