Homeland Security Biological Terrorism and Radiation Incident Term Paper

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Biological warfare is the term used to describe an attack involving the use of harmful biological agents such as bacteria, viruses or fungi. These agents are deployed with the intention to kill or incapacitate people or animals or even plants. These agents once deployed replicate in their host victims causing trauma and death.

Difference between Biological Warfare and Traditional Forms of Terrorism

There are inherent differences between biological warfare and the more traditional forms of terrorism. Biological agents used in biological warfare are relatively easy and can be produced at little cost. The cost of operation of biological weapons against civilian population could be as low as 1 dollar per square kilimeter as oppossed to the traditional weapon's 2000 dollars per square kiliometer (Homeland Defense Business Unit, 2004 ). In addition, the procedures of developing weaponizable biological agents require low levels of purity and quality control.

Nonetheless, deployment of biological weapons is not easy to detect. These agents are colorless, odorless and silent making them extremely difficult to defend aaganist.

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The detection technology is presently lacking and without prior intelligence, it is possible that an attack could be lauched well before anyone is aware that it has occurred.

Unlike the traditional forms of terrorism where attacks were instantaneous, the effects of biological warfare are generally delayed. Many health practitioners are unaware of the early symptoms associated with these attacks. Therefore it might take time before the effects of exposure to biological agent is detected and the necessary protection and treatment undertaken.

In addition, it is possible to select target whether human or plants or animals. The deployment of different strains of biological agent will cause differing effect depending on the type of target vulnerable to that particular agent.

Biological Threat Assessment

Biodefense is a costly affair. The United States has invested a considerable amount of money in research and implementation of counter measures of biological warfare. The possible known biological agents are categorized as A;

Ease of dissemination

High death rate

Possible high health impact

Likely to cause public.....

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"Homeland Security Biological Terrorism And Radiation Incident" (2012, June 06) Retrieved May 6, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/homeland-security-biological-terrorism-radiation-111048

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"Homeland Security Biological Terrorism And Radiation Incident" 06 June 2012. Web.6 May. 2024. <
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"Homeland Security Biological Terrorism And Radiation Incident", 06 June 2012, Accessed.6 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/homeland-security-biological-terrorism-radiation-111048
   

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