In a telephone call, I first told Ken about the AFIP finding that silica had been detected. He had not known that. All he had ever said prior to that call was that he could not see it on the SEMS images he saw.
With the advancement of silica nanoparticles about the time of the mailings, it is not surprising he did not see it on the SEMS images he was shown.
After using silica in the cuilture medium to permit greater concentration of the biological agent, (see Alibek/Bailey patent dated March 14, 2001), the silica can then be removed through repeated centrifugation or an air chamber. See Bailey/Morozov patent. (Morozov inherited al-Timimi’s phone number).
I would like you to put yourself on record as to why those patents are not indicated by the forensics. The government bioweapons expert I consulted has told me that the patents would serve this purpose — and are indicated by the forensics. While you are not a microbiologist, and neither is Ed, perhaps Debra, too, could put herself on the record as to why use of the method is not indicated by the method described in the patents. it would be especially helpful if Ken did also.
Meanwhile, ATCC should put itself on the record and say it did not have the Ames strain (if that is the case). Presently, they refuse to deny that they had it.
“In a telephone call, I first told Ken about the AFIP finding that silica had been detected. He had not known that.”
Can you remember when you had the telephone call? Was it before or after Monday, March 31, 2003?
Because he knew about AFIPs finding of silica on that date, unless he forgot about it.
http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/03/sp_iraq_alibek033103.htm
Dallas, Tex.: A published analysis of the anthrax mailed to government and media in Oct. 2001 shows unambiguously that silicon dioxide was present on the surface of the spores. The work was performed by the AFIP and the results can be seen here.
Does this mean, in your opinion, that the anthrax was made in a state-sponsored bioweapons lab?
Ken Alibek: We paid to much attention to the silicon oxide on the surface of the spores. I haven’t seen any silicon presence on micrographs of this anthrax. We shouldn’t forget that silica would be a natural component. In this case, in my opinion, silica was a natural presence in these spores. There was no special need to add silica to this anthrax.