Biological Warfare Dramatic Technological Advances Thesis

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These efforts include: expansion of international efforts to prevent terrorist acquisition of biological agents, initiated BioWatch program to detect initial releases of biological weapons within the environment, launched food programs to carefully inspect foods for potential bioagents (with greater focus on foreign foods), expanded bioterrorism research (including Project Bioshield, a program to develop medical ripostes to biological agents), and increased medical stockpiles and training for dealing with bioterrorism attacks (Cordesman; Lindler, Lebeda, & Korch; Petsko; Fidler & Gostin). These efforts will help to both prevent the initial release of any biological agents within the general populace or environment, as well as effectively treat afflicted individuals and slow spread through appropriate treatments.

Once biological agents are released into the general population, the extent of disease spread and number of individuals afflicted will be significantly affected by the role and effectiveness of the government through quarantine and treatment (Cordesman; Lindler, Lebeda, & Korch). The ability to deal with the biological agent will also depend on the capacity of the government to identify the bioagent which has been utilized. Initial awareness of an attack may be observed through comparison against the background rate of infected individuals through constant surveillance and will increase the likelihood of rapidly determining the etiology of the disease outbreak (Fidler & Gostin; Ryan & Glarum; Cordesman). Depending on the agent which has been used in the attack, determination may be stymied by unremarkable initial symptoms that could be consistent with naturally occurring diseases, such as influenza or other respiratory ailments (Fidler & Gostin; Cordesman; Ryan & Glarum; Petsko).

Important steps will involve increasing public awareness of a disease outbreak without evoking general hysteria and preventing further transmission from infected individuals (Cordesman; Cole).

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Appropriate quarantine procedures and control of elements of the transportation system may be required. If the general populace is not aware that an outbreak is occurring, they may engage in actions that could increase their likelihood of becoming infected or further spreading disease (Cordesman; Fidler & Gostin; Ryan & Glarum).

Conclusion

With the advancement of technological innovations and spread of biological knowledge, bioterrorism represents a real and significant danger in a modern world. The capacity to acquire, weaponize, and utilize biological agents for nefarious purposes has increased dramatically and poses a significant threat against human populations (Fidler & Gostin; Ryan & Glarum; Cordesman). Such attacks may result in catastrophic loss of human life, widespread incidence of disease, general panic, as well as concomitant disruption of economic sectors within the country and international trade relations (Cordesman; Ryan & Glarum; Fidler & Gostin).

Given the unique capacity for widespread transmission of disease with the release of biological weapons, effective prophylactic and contingency programs are essential for dealing with this threat (Cordesman; Fidler & Gostin; Ryan & Glarum). Efforts to prevent the initial introduction of bioagents into the public sphere are the most important in dealing with biological terrorism. However, if a biological weapon is released, authorities must be trained and capable of treating infected individuals and slowing the potential spread of disease (Cordesman; Fidler & Gostin; Ryan & Glarum).

Ultimately, biological agents are dangerous because of their unique ability to continually propagate and are increasingly more accessible putative terror weapons due to their inexpensive production.

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