Iowa Lab could get more federal dollars

The Iowa Hygienics Laboratory would get a seven-figure boost under a proposal from Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley. The lab played a prominent role in testing all sorts of items for anthrax following the September 11th attacks. Grassley says the lab needs more money to operate.Grassley says the lab is part of our first line of defense against any bioterrorism threat to our food supply and our population. Grassley plans to request the lab’s funding be raised by one million dollars. He says the money would help the lab conduct testing of infectious agents and help the nation respond to potential bioterrorism attacks.The lab is based in Iowa City on the campus of the University of Iowa.