BeckyMcClain'sWorkersMemorialDayspeech4-28-10

Becky McClain is a 23-year career molecular biologist who has worked on cutting edge technologies in mouse embryonic stem cell, vaccine development, molecular genetics, neurobiology and developmental biology research within both academia and private industry.
In 2002-2004 she incurred biological exposures at Pfizer, Groton, CT from a biological hood and co-worker using a Lentivirus on her lab bench next to her desk. As a result of requesting the Lentivirus exposure records through OSHA she was terminated and filed a lawsuit in 2006. On April 1, 2010 she won her federal lawsuit against Pfizer, Inc. for whistleblower and freedom of speech claims. Pfizer still refuses to give her the Lentivirus exposure records.
The speech was given in New Britain, CT at the AFSCME Council 4 union office advocating worker rights to their biological exposure records for directed healthcare and public health and safety issues to be addressed to prevent work-related illness, to provide a safe work environment, and to protect the public's health and safety.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• biological exposure
• lab safety
• Becky McClain
• Pfizer

[Diocletian09]

As a young person who has suffered a major illness due to negligent workplace activities i sympathize completely. I am disturbed by the idea of diseases and viruses being played around with, with little to no monitoring. All it takes is one virus to get passed on to an employer who unknowingly passes it to their partner, etc, to create an epidemic. It is absurd that 'trade secrets' supersede ANY humans rights.