Biosecurity Measures for Preventing Bioterrorism

“Although the words “biosecurity” and “biosafety” are sometimes used interchangeably, they differ fundamentally in that biosecurity policies counter deliberate attempts to acquire bioweapon capabilities, while biosafety measures prevent accidental infections or release dangerous organisms and toxins. However, some biosecurity measures do overlap with policies on biosafety, agricultural security, biodiversity, and counter-terrorism. Without standardized measures applied worldwide, terrorists could exploit unprotected or at least protected facilities to gain access to toxins and pathogens, and then use the material for bioweapon attacks in far-distant locations.”
By Michael Michael Barletta

Author:
Center for Nonproliferation Studies-Monterey Institute of International Studies
Publish Date:
2002

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