The document discusses a $35 million contract awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to Protein Sciences Corporation to develop an influenza vaccine using a gene-based technique. The technique aims to shorten vaccine production time compared to conventional egg-based methods. However, some express concern over the company's financial difficulties and history of vaccine development errors. Critics argue the contract could enable further dissemination of deadly pathogens beyond influenza under the guise of vaccine development.