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Bombs Explode at Biotech Company in California
Two small bombs exploded and shattered windows early Thursday on the campus of biotechnology company Chiron Corp., but nobody was hurt and authorities said damage was minimal. While police and company officials declined to comment on any suspects, Chiron and its executives have been targeted by animal-rights protesters recently over the companyâs relationship with Huntingdon Life Sciences, which conducts animal experiments. Since May, the activists have noisily protested at workersâ homes and vandalized an executiveâs car. The usual suspects(tm)with the usual tactics. Chiron, based in Emeryville, has increased security and is working with law-enforcement authorities. The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting the bombing investigation. Emeryville Police Sgt. LaJuan Collier said the first bomb exploded before 3 a.m. in front of one Chiron building and the second detonated about an hour later at another building. Middle of the night when no one was around, they hoped. Chiron makes drugs and is required by the Food and Drug Administration to test its products for safety and effectiveness on animals before it can sell the drugs to people, company spokesman John Gallagher said. He would not comment on whether Chiron conducts animal research at the Emeryville campus. The company contracts with New Jersey-based Huntingdon for some animal research. Huntingdon has been the target of a four-year campaign waged by animal rights activists affiliated with a group called Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty. I vote we test new drugs on them. A spokesman for the group said he was unsure if the bombing Thursday was related to any animal rights protest. "But it looks like an action that we would support," spokesman Kevin Jonas said. I have no doubt that you do. Posted by: Steve 2003-08-28 |
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