Technical difficulties in preventing bioterrorism

Abstract

Research and development efforts are being focused on a number of fronts to combat bioterrorism activities in the current context of possible threats from global bioterrorism. These encompass both endeavours in applied engineering and fundamental science. Understanding the "make-up" of the biological agents used in a terrorist attack, surveillance and diagnosis of patients infected with potential biological agents, detection of the presence of bioagents in the environment, development of antivirals and other medications and vaccines, biosensing detection tools for alerts and assessments of human health risks, and six other major issues are just a few of the ones that need to be addressed in the context of science and technology challenges.