A Short History of Biological Warfare

A Short History of Biological Warfare
Author: W. Seth Carus
Publisher: Government Printing Office
Total Pages: 80
Release: 2017
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780160941481

This publication gives a history of biological warfare (BW) from the prehistoric period through the present, with a section on the future of BW. The publication relies on works by historians who used primary sources dealing with BW. In-depth definitions of biological agents, biological weapons, and biological warfare (BW) are included, as well as an appendix of further reading on the subject. Related items: Arms & Weapons publications can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/arms-weapons Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT & CBRNE) publications can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/hazardous-materials-hazmat-cbrne

The Biological Threat Reduction Program of the Department of Defense

The Biological Threat Reduction Program of the Department of Defense
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 120
Release: 2007-10-10
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0309179513

This Congressionally-mandated report identifies areas for further cooperation with Russia and other states of the former Soviet Union under the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) program of the Department of Defense in the specific area of prevention of proliferation of biological weapons. The report reviews relevant U.S. government programs, and particularly the CTR program, and identifies approaches for overcoming obstacles to cooperation and for increasing the long-term impact of the program. It recommends strong support for continuation of the CTR program.

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism
Author: Jeffrey Ryan
Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann
Total Pages: 394
Release: 2016-02-18
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0128020571

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism, Second Edition, takes a holistic approach to biosecurity, with coverage of pathogens, prevention, and response methodology. It addresses these hazards in the context of vulnerability assessments and the planning strategies government and industry can use to prepare for and respond to such events. The book is organized into four thematic sections: Part I provides a conceptual understanding of biowarfare, bioterrorism and the laws we have to counteract this; Part II investigates known bioagents and the threat from emerging diseases; Part III focuses on agricultural terrorism and food security; and Part IV outlines international, US, and local initiatives for biodefense and biosecurity. Case studies illustrate biodefense against both intentional terrorism and natural outbreaks. - Covers emerging threats of pandemic influenza, antibiotic resistant strains of bacterial pathogens, and severe respiratory diseases caused by novel viruses - Offers increased international coverage, including initiatives to counter biological weapons and threats, and food security - Updated throughout with latest protocols for dealing with biological threats and new case studies - Includes online instructor ancillaries - PowerPoint lecture slides, test questions, and an instructor manual, for increased classroom functionality

Six-Legged Soldiers

Six-Legged Soldiers
Author: Jeffrey A. Lockwood
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 401
Release: 2010-07-22
Genre: History
ISBN: 0199733538

Examines how insects have been used as weapons in wartime conflicts throughout history, presenting as examples how scorpions were used in Roman times and hornets nests were used during the MIddle Ages in siege warfare and how insects have been used in Vietnam, China, and Korea.

Biological Threats and Terrorism

Biological Threats and Terrorism
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 335
Release: 2002-03-07
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 030916995X

In the wake of September 11th and recent anthrax events, our nation's bioterrorism response capability has become an imminent priority for policymakers, researchers, public health officials, academia, and the private sector. In a three-day workshop, convened by the Institute of Medicine's Forum on Emerging Infections, experts from each of these communities came together to identify, clarify, and prioritize the next steps that need to be taken in order to prepare and strengthen bioterrorism response capabilities. From the discussions, it became clear that of utmost urgency is the need to cast the issue of a response in an appropriate framework in order to attract the attention of Congress and the public in order to garner sufficient and sustainable support for such initiatives. No matter how the issue is cast, numerous workshop participants agreed that there are many gaps in the public health infrastructure and countermeasure capabilities that must be prioritized and addressed in order to assure a rapid and effective response to another bioterrorist attack.

Agricultural Bioterrorism

Agricultural Bioterrorism
Author: Steven A. Wieneke
Publisher:
Total Pages: 32
Release: 2006
Genre: Agriculture
ISBN:

The threat of agricultural terrorism in the United States has awakened the nation to the stark reality that its agricultural industry may be in jeopardy. Intentional attacks delivered by land air and sea are capable of devastating this nation's agricultural infrastructure its economy and ultimately threaten the survival of the citizens and the quality of life we have taken for granted. Preparations taken to identify vulnerabilities implementation of prevention measures and actions taken in response to an attack will determine the magnitude of the impact of an agricultural incident. This paper will present the bioterrorism threat the United States agricultural infrastructure faces. It will review the nature and threat of agricultural terrorism against livestock and croplands and demonstrate the degree of vulnerability the United States agricultural industry has against a bioterrorism attack. This paper will identify current plans policies initiatives and capabilities available at the local state and federal levels. It will review actions that should be implemented in order to strengthen this nation's ability to prevent prepare for respond to and mitigate long-term consequences that could devastate the nation's economy.

Biotechnology Research in an Age of Terrorism

Biotechnology Research in an Age of Terrorism
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 164
Release: 2004-03-02
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0309089778

In recent years much has happened to justify an examination of biological research in light of national security concerns. The destructive application of biotechnology research includes activities such as spreading common pathogens or transforming them into even more lethal forms. Policymakers and the scientific community at large must put forth a vigorous and immediate response to this challenge. This new book by the National Research Council recommends that the government expand existing regulations and rely on self-governance by scientists rather than adopt intrusive new policies. One key recommendation of the report is that the government should not attempt to regulate scientific publishing but should trust scientists and journals to screen their papers for security risks, a task some journals have already taken up. With biological information and tools widely distributed, regulating only U.S. researchers would have little effect. A new International Forum on Biosecurity should encourage the adoption of similar measures around the world. Seven types of risky studies would require approval by the Institutional Biosafety Committees that already oversee recombinant DNA research at some 400 U.S. institutions. These "experiments of concern" include making an infectious agent more lethal and rendering vaccines powerless.

The United States and Biological Warfare

The United States and Biological Warfare
Author: Stephen Endicott
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Total Pages: 320
Release: 1998-11-22
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780253334725

The United States and Biological Warfare] is a major contribution to our understanding of the past involvement by the US and Japanese governments with BW, with important, crucial implications for the future.... Pieces of this story, including the Korean War allegations, have been told before, but never so authoritatively, and with such a convincing foundation in historical research.... This is a brave and significant scholarly contribution on a matter of great importance to the future of humanity. --Richard Falk, Albert G. Milbank Professor of International Law and Practice, Princeton University The United States and Biological Warfare argues persuasively that the United States experimented with and deployed biological weapons during the Korean War. Endicott and Hagerman explore the political and moral dimensions of this issue, asking what restraints were applied or forgotten in those years of ideological and political passion and military crisis. For the first time, there is hard evidence that the United States lied both to Congress and the American public in saying that the American biological warfare program was purely defensive and for retaliation only. The truth is that a large and sophisticated biological weapons system was developed as an offensive weapon of opportunity in the post-World War II years. From newly declassified American, Canadian, and British documents, and with the cooperation of the Chinese Central Archives in giving the authors the first access by foreigners to relevant classified documents, Endicott and Hagerman have been able to tell the previously hidden story of the extension of the limits of modern war to include the use of medical science, the most morally laden of sciences with respect to the sanctity of human life. They show how the germ warfare program developed collaboratively by Great Britain, Canada, and the United States during the Second World War, together with information gathered from the Japanese at the end of World War II about their biological warfare technology, was incorporated into an ongoing development program in the United States. Startling evidence from both Chinese and American sources is presented to make the case. An important book for anyone interested in the history and morality of modern warfare.