In a major breakthrough, Indian scientists have developed a new anthrax vaccine, which in comparison to currently available vaccine would be affordable, Science and Technology Minister Murli Manohar Joshi has said. He said the development was significant since after September 11 terrorist attacks on the US, anthrax had assumed serious dimensions around the globe. Though the treatment of anthrax was available, it was expensive and had strong toxic effects, the minister said adding the new recombinant vaccine "avoided all toxic effects, is easy to produce and will be cost effective." "The development shows the direction Indian reserachers want to take. We are proceeding to find vaccines for common man to bring down the prices," he said. The project on the vaccine, developed by Prof Rakesh Bhatnagar of the Centre for Biotechnology, JNU, in collaboration with Dr Yogender Singh of Centre for Biochemical Technology, was supported by Department of Biotechnology with an investment of Rs 86.5 laks for a period of about six years. Bureau Report