It is being alleged that the DNA Cluster Project will benefit only a small group of government scientists, academics, vaccine and bait manufacturers that have grown dependent on government funding for rabies research, testing and control.

Members of the Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Center are critical of the DNA Cluster project which they say "is presented as one with major economic development potential for Peterborough, [yet] there is no substantiating evidence in the form of a business plan."

While the absence of a business plan for the DNA Cluster project is not news to us, outside the communities of Trent University and Peterborough others are taking critical notice that the project has received more than $10 million of public money for an unsupportable project with no demonstrable benefits to the community. Worse still it is alleged that the only avenue for continued funding is directly related to the "rabies industry", funding that will soon dry up because it is unjustifiable. When the funding dries up, Trent and Peterborough will be left holding the bag for the DNA Cluster.

The group has presented its concerns and findings in writing to The Ontario Ministers of Finance, Greg Sorbara, and Economic Development & Trade, Joseph Cordiano with copies the Primier and select members of the Cabinet. They have also produced a short summary of the questionable funding that keeps the DNA Cluster project alive.

OurTrent once again invites Trent to be transparent and accountable. Disclose to the public the details of the DNA Cluster project so that we may conduct an independent analysis into the alleged benefits for Trent and Peterborough. If such an analysis validates the benefits, we will have no trouble actively supporting the project.