NCJ Number
191820
Date Published
1998
Length
45 pages
Annotation
This proceedings report is a transcript of a seminar on recent developments regarding the emerging threats of biological terrorism.
Abstract
In the past 40 years, the world has seen many changes in the form of terrorism. In the 1970's, for example, “propaganda by the deed” was witnessed: physical attacks, hijacking, bombing, and assassination. Then in the 1980's, new forms emerged including deed by propaganda, psychological warfare, misinformation, and disinformation. And now, in the late 20th century, racial, ethnic, and religious violence has escalated to the point of superterrorism--biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons. The academic community has an intellectual obligation to identify the nature of these threats, and then propose some steps to reduce the risks to some manageable levels. The proceedings of this seminar, co-sponsored by the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies and the Terrorism Studies Program at The George Washington University, presented information by experts on biological terrorism. Subjects covered in this seminar include: (1) biological warfare and biological terrorism: an overview; (2) the bacterial and viral terrorist threat; (3) first responders; (4) conventional countermeasures; (5) advanced countermeasures; and (6) closing remarks by Professor Yonah Alexander of The George Washington University.