A plan to introduce disease-resistant Asian oysters to the Chesapeake Bay could significantly boost the bay’s depleted population of the water-cleaning shellfish, according to a federal study to be released soon. The Baltimore Sun reports the study also warns the foreign species could harm what is left of the bay’s native oyster population and potentially spread to threaten ecosystems all along the East Coast. After more than four years of research and debate among scientists, the $17-million study does not make a recommendation about what route would be best for the bay. Officials say they want to hear the public’s views on the matter.