A ‘BOLD VISION’?

Frist described his “Manhattan Project” proposal as a “bold vision” to respond to the challenges posed by bioterrorism and naturally occurring pandemics—but the senator’s speech did not outline specific policies or programs for this response.

Frist said that his plan would include “substantial increases” in funding to advance research and bolster the nation’s ability to respond to emergencies.

“I speak of the creation of secure stores of treatments and vaccines and vast networks of distribution,” said Frist, who—prior to being elected to the Senate in 1994—was a renowned heart- and lung-transplant surgeon.

In the question-and-answer session, Frist said that the “new Manhattan Project” would not be as secretive or as highly centralized as its early-1940s namesake.

He sought to tap the resources of his alma mater in response what he described as an impending crisis.

“For the sake of your own families and children, for the honor and satisfaction of doing right, I bid you, the stewards of this great institution of higher learning and research, to join me in this essential effort,” he told the assembled crowd.

But Frist’s reception was lukewarm.

More than 100 students, faculty members, and staff members presented Frist with an open letter lambasting the senator’s legislative actions.

The letter suggested that Frist has failed to take concrete measures to bring an end to genocide in the western Sudanese region of Darfur. It also criticized Frist’s voting record on HIV/AIDS funding, women’s reproductive health care, and abortion rights.

—Staff writer Daniel J. Hemel can be reached at hemel@fas.harvard.edu.