Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings	$ 20,121	$ 21,325
Non-cash items:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	2,525	2,307
Amortization of intangible assets	1,796	1,079
Amortization of deferred illumigene contract costs	81
Stock-based compensation	1,981	1,255
Deferred income taxes	(1,622)	(108)
Loss on disposition of fixed assets	7	15
Unrealized loss on auction-rate securities and rights, net		10
Change in current assets	(10,176)	2,151
Change in current liabilities	2,451	(4,327)
Other, net	(546)	(6)
Net cash provided by operating activities	16,618	23,701
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(7,666)	(3,681)
Purchases of intangibles and other assets	(12)
Purchases of short-term investments		(1,000)
Proceeds from sales and calls of short-term investments		8,275
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities	(7,678)	3,594
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends paid	(23,192)	(22,282)
Proceeds and tax benefits from exercises of stock options	1,481	559
Net cash used for financing activities	(21,711)	(21,723)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Equivalents	455	(1,383)
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Equivalents	(12,316)	4,189
Cash and Equivalents at Beginning of Period	37,879	54,030
Cash and Equivalents at End of Period	$ 25,563	$ 58,219