Anthrax Research Paper

In spite of the positive influences of biological/chemical weapons, there are many more negative effects, including the immense terrorist threat. Because biological and chemical weapons can be a seemingly effortless construction, the possibility of terrorist use is always evident: “If a bioterrorist attack were to happen, Bacillus anthracis, the bacteria that causes anthrax, would be one of the biological agents most likely to be used" (“Anthrax”). According to the CDC, anthrax is a likely bioterrorist weapon for a few main reasons: including the former use, the spores can be found in nature or produced in a scientific lab, the spores are microscopic and near impossible to detect, and the spores can be put into many environments and still

thrive. Second, biological and chemical weapons are very simple to use and transport. Because the administration of these weapons are so easy, small and large targets are not hard for terrorists to harm, or even kill. These weapons can be small, light, and undetectable to security systems.

Many scientists, including Fred Milanovich, have been working to eliminate this risk: “A key factor limiting the nation's ability to protect against a biological attack has been the state of biodetector technology. Only now is technology becoming available that permits identification of biological organisms within minutes, when concentrations are low but often still dangerous” (Walter). Biological and chemical weapons can be snuck into many high security places; high value people and places could become an easily accessible target for terrorists to send a message. Although this technology has been developed to detect these risks, it only detects the toxin when it is suspected, and is not accessible for public use. Also, the time between infection and detection of the toxin is a weapon in and of itself: “Many biological agents are contagious, and during this lag time, infected persons could continue to spread the disease, further increasing its reach. Hundreds or even thousands of people could become sick or die if a biological attack were to occur in a major metropolitan area” (Walter). If a terrorist was able to weasel a toxin into popular areas, or onto popular people, by the time detection occurred the agent would have been spread to a large

number of people. Furthermore, attacks have been present as the Islamic State militants(ISIS) gained power. In September - October of 2014 Dhuluiya and Balad, Iraq were attacked using chlorine and mustard gas, leaving about 40 people injured (“Summary). The use of these toxins becomes a serious threat. As people realize the success terrorist groups have had with these weapons, they begin to question their safety, and if they have the ability to effect the United States. Once the toxin is noticed, the government will try to track down all people who were infected; between their infection, the disclosure, and being found themselves, the civilians would have infected more people. This chain reaction could be disastrous and is a great plan for terrorist attacks.