Speaker: Be Aware of Biowarfare

By Connect Mason Reporter Edwin Mora

George Mason University’s Biodefense Speaker Series featured a presentation on the importance of public awareness of the potential threat posed by biological weapons by Dr. Richard Danzig on March 31 from 6-7 p.m. in Dewberry Hall.

Danzig's expertise included being the Nunn Prize Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a senior fellow at the CNA Corporation and a consultant to the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security on terrorism.

The speaker defined biological arms as the “use of pathogens, viruses, bacteria and toxins as weapons.”

He pointed out that the danger affiliated with biological weapons was not found in the materials but the proliferation of the knowledge used in making the weapons.

“In biology there is no limit to how much of the weapon is made,” said Danzig, “Once the knowledge is there, others can be taught how to make the weapons.”

Danzig provided five different cases of how bioweapons could potentially be used.

  • Spread of anthrax in the air we breathe and through small pox
  • Attack on our water systems
  • Attack on our food supplies
  • Use on new pathogens that have not been invented yet

“Since high school students do what noble prize winners did years ago, new pathogens can be made by average people,” said the doctor. “It’s a problem that’s proliferating with the proliferation of new technology.

He spent most of the time educating the attendees on the threat of anthrax.

“You can grow anthrax by fermentation, much like you can ferment yeast and get beer,” said Danzig.

A kilogram of anthrax could infect about 100,000 people, 90 percent of which would die, according to Danzig.

The doctor mentioned two reasons why terrorists have not resorted to bioweapons:

  • Terrorists are cautious about being caught
  • Making these types of weapons takes time and money

“In my opinion funding a lab is something terrorists are reluctant to do,” said Danzig.

Although there has not been much biowarfare, the threat is alive. “Give me a Unabomber who’s not a Ph.D. mathematician but has a biology Ph.D. and you’ll get a biological attack,” said the speaker.

Danzig talked about the importance of placing restrictions on biological research.

“The key is no so much on the criminalization of research, but the responsibility of biologists is also important.”

Public knowledge of the threat was on top of the list on precautions of biowarfare.

“We need to broaden the information on this,” said Danzig, “encourage people to pay attention before the problem is here.”

“I thought it was very good general information, I hadn’t heard much on public education,” said Senior Adam Elliott, a biodefense major. “The public education needs to be developed.”

Things that can be done to prevent biowarfare (according to speaker):

  • Control proliferation of biological knowledge and technology
  • Increase knowledge of the dangers for those likely to develop these weapons
  • Engage in efforts to tighten security on knowledge and materials needed to make these weapons
  • Engage in the efforts of potentials, such as handing out masks and developing alarm systems

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