Biowarfare Research Paper
The Ethics (moral principle) of Biowarfare
Daniel Reyes articlehighlights Nations need to take preventative measures to curb the development and proliferation of biological and chemical weapons, such as: * adopting a scientific code of ethics * incorporating ethics into graduate science courses * formulating accountability mechanisms for research * raising academic, industry, and public awareness of ethical issues
Introduction: A Modern Day Trojan Horse * The 2001 anthrax scare in the U.S. brought the biowarfare issue to the fore. * Although the envelope resembled a letter from a fourth grade student, the contents addressed to U.S. Senator Tom Daschle were life threatening. Laced within the envelope was a form …show more content…
Since the specific diseases and chemicals used by terrorist groups could potentially cause significant diseases or injuries, they are the focus of national planning efforts to prepare for and respond to acts of bioterrorism. Keep in mind that bioterrorism is seen as a “High Consequence - Low Probability” event.
These agents could cause large-scale damage.
How significant a threat is it?
Henderson: We think bioterrorism poses a very serious threat to the population in general. Although, we in public health are not privy to intelligence information that would provide significant details regarding terrorist groups and their intentions, we do know that if one of these agents was introduced into the population it could cause considerable damage.
What kind of biological agents could be used by terrorists?
Henderson: The CDC has three categories for critical biological agents:
Category A agents could cause the most deaths.
Category A: Smallpox, Anthrax, Plague, Botulism, Tularaemia, Filoviruses (e.g., Ebola), and Arenaviruses (e.g., Lassa fever). These organisms are grouped into the A list because
Daniel Reyes articlehighlights Nations need to take preventative measures to curb the development and proliferation of biological and chemical weapons, such as: * adopting a scientific code of ethics * incorporating ethics into graduate science courses * formulating accountability mechanisms for research * raising academic, industry, and public awareness of ethical issues
Introduction: A Modern Day Trojan Horse * The 2001 anthrax scare in the U.S. brought the biowarfare issue to the fore. * Although the envelope resembled a letter from a fourth grade student, the contents addressed to U.S. Senator Tom Daschle were life threatening. Laced within the envelope was a form …show more content…
Since the specific diseases and chemicals used by terrorist groups could potentially cause significant diseases or injuries, they are the focus of national planning efforts to prepare for and respond to acts of bioterrorism. Keep in mind that bioterrorism is seen as a “High Consequence - Low Probability” event.
These agents could cause large-scale damage.
How significant a threat is it?
Henderson: We think bioterrorism poses a very serious threat to the population in general. Although, we in public health are not privy to intelligence information that would provide significant details regarding terrorist groups and their intentions, we do know that if one of these agents was introduced into the population it could cause considerable damage.
What kind of biological agents could be used by terrorists?
Henderson: The CDC has three categories for critical biological agents:
Category A agents could cause the most deaths.
Category A: Smallpox, Anthrax, Plague, Botulism, Tularaemia, Filoviruses (e.g., Ebola), and Arenaviruses (e.g., Lassa fever). These organisms are grouped into the A list because