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| − | Bioterrorism involves the use of biological weapons for the purpose of committing terrorism. The release of an infectious agent such as [[anthrax]], [[smallpox]], or [[ebola]] would have devastating health effects on those affected, and overwhelm the ability of local medical services to treat the infected resulting a potentially large loss of life. | + | '''Bioterrorism''' involves the use of [[biological weapon]]s for the purpose of committing [[terrorism]]. The release of an infectious agent such as [[anthrax]], [[smallpox]], or [[ebola]] would have devastating health effects on those affected, and overwhelm the ability of local medical services to treat the infected resulting a potentially large loss of life. |
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| | ==Historical bioterrorism== | | ==Historical bioterrorism== |
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| − | Bioterrorism has historical roots. For example, it was not uncommon in medieval warfare to catapult diseased animals into a sieged city, or infect a city's water supply with diseased animals or bodies. In 1763, during the [[French and Indian War]] a [[British]] General Lord Jeffrey Amherst supplied blankets from smallpox patients to a local Indian tribe for the purpose of reducing their numbers. <ref>http://academic.udayton.edu/health/syllabi/Bioterrorism/00intro02.htm</ref> | + | Bioterrorism has historical roots. For example, it was not uncommon in medieval warfare to catapult diseased animals into a sieged city, or infect a city's water supply with diseased animals or bodies. In 1763, during the [[French and Indian War]] a [[British]] General Lord Jeffrey Amherst supplied blankets from smallpox patients to a local Indian tribe for the purpose of reducing their numbers.<ref>http://academic.udayton.edu/health/syllabi/Bioterrorism/00intro02.htm</ref> |
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| | ==Modern biowarfare and bioterrorism== | | ==Modern biowarfare and bioterrorism== |
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| − | Biowarfare and bioterrorism has become even more deadly with the development of [[genetic engineering]] which allows terrorists to design germs and viruses to be resistant to [[antibiotic|antibiotics]] and to take on new and deadlier traits. | + | Biowarfare and bioterrorism has become even more deadly with the development of [[genetic engineering]] which allows terrorists to design germs and viruses to be resistant to [[antibiotic]]s and to take on new and deadlier traits. |
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| − | Prior to the signing of the ban on Biological and Chemical Weapons signed by [[Richard Nixon]], the USAMRIID facility at Fort Detrick, Maryland was a testing and development center for biological weapons. <ref>http://www.detrick.army.mil/cutting_edge/index.cfm?chapter=chapter12</ref> However, this was in response a pursuit of biological weapons by the [[USSR]]. Since 1974, USAMRIID has become one of the world's leading infectious disease research facilities. | + | Prior to the signing of the ban on Biological and Chemical Weapons signed by [[Richard Nixon]], the USAMRIID facility at Fort Detrick, Maryland was a testing and development center for biological weapons.<ref>http://www.detrick.army.mil/cutting_edge/index.cfm?chapter=chapter12</ref> However, this was in response a pursuit of biological weapons by the [[USSR]]. Since 1974, USAMRIID has become one of the world's leading infectious disease research facilities. |
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| | The Soviet Union developed a number biological weapons including Smallpox and Anthrax.<ref>http://cryptome.org/smallpox-wmd.htm</ref> | | The Soviet Union developed a number biological weapons including Smallpox and Anthrax.<ref>http://cryptome.org/smallpox-wmd.htm</ref> |
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| | Iraq is known to have had biological weapons capability prior to the [[Iraq War]]. [[Saddam Hussein]] controlled significant quantities of biological weapons which have yet to be found. Saddam may have provided some biological weapons capability to [[Al Qaeda]]. | | Iraq is known to have had biological weapons capability prior to the [[Iraq War]]. [[Saddam Hussein]] controlled significant quantities of biological weapons which have yet to be found. Saddam may have provided some biological weapons capability to [[Al Qaeda]]. |
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| − | The [[Muslim]] [[terrorists]] who attacked us on [[9/11]] were also responsible for the Anthrax attacks on the United states, possibly through another terrorist cell which has yet to be found. <ref>http://www.anthraxinvestigation.com/Florida.html</ref>
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| | ==References== | | ==References== |
| | <references/> | | <references/> |
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| | + | [[Category:Terrorism]] |