Art or Bioterrorism?

From an article on 10ZenMonkeys.com:

“On May 11, 2004, 911 received a call from SUNY Buffalo University professor and artist Steve Kurtz reporting the death of Kurtz’s wife Hope from heart failure. The responders entered the home where Kurtz worked on his projects for Critical Arts Ensemble (CAE) — projects which explore and critique bio-issues like our contemporary use of biotechnology for weapons programs, reproduction, and food. The responders noted a table with scientific equipment and peculiar substances that are an essential part of Kurtz’ work.

The FBI detained and questioned Kurtz for 22 hours. His house — and his wife’s body — were confiscated. Kurtz’ entire street was quarantined while agents from numerous agencies, including Homeland Security and the Department of Defense, descended on his home in hazmat suits. Everything was confiscated – computers, books on bioweaponry, garbage, posters with “suspicious” Arabic lettering on them… everything.

After about two days, the authorities had tested the biological materials and declared that no toxic material had been found. On May 17, Kurtz was allowed to return to his home.”

Scary times, indeed. When will we regain our sense of decency regarding the liberty of others? I can’t even imagine being detained and interviewed so soon after losing a loved on, let alone over ART. We have lost sight that the underlying foundation of the United States Constitution, the right that must be logically excepted before all others is that of cognitive liberty; Amendment 0. How are we as a society going to progress when the publics’ ideas and their physical manifestations can so quickly and harshly be questioned?

Have the rights of corporations always been respected above those of the common citizen?