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By Category: Policy & Initiatives

Autonomous Detection Sought for BioWatch Surveillance Systems

(HomelandSecurityToday) Options for upgrading the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) BioWatch biosurveillance program monitoring systems for biological agents to autonomous detectors is continuing to be explored — and the department plans eventually to do so in collaboration with state and local officials. But DHS currently has no formal program to produce the next generation of  Read More »

Responding to International Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Incidents

(NationalAcademies) On June 20, the National Academy of Sciences hosted a workshop to discuss ways to improve the U.S. government’s assistance in responding to a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear incident that might occur elsewhere in the world. Among the speakers was Major General Julie Bentz, director of Strategic Capabilities Policy at the White House,  Read More »

House panel questions value of biosurveillance program

(TheHill) More than a decade after the 2001 anthrax attacks, a House oversight committee on Tuesday questioned the track record of a controversial surveillance program launched to prevent future incidents of bioterrorism. BioWatch, the nationwide system designed to detect early signs of anthrax or other deadly agents in the air, was denied further funding by  Read More »

A Biological Threat Prevention Strategy: Complicating Adversary Acquisition and Misuse of Biological Agents

(CSIS) The risk of a biological attack is ever present. The relevant knowledge and material are becoming more widely available because of the global dispersion and rapid advances of technology, combined with its inherent dual-use nature. While technical challenges remain to a successful large-scale, high-impact biological attack, such an attack could kill tens of thousands  Read More »

BioWatch Acquisition Delayed by Analysis of Alternatives

(HomelandSecurityToday) The procurement of the next generation of the BioWatch surveillance program for biological agents won’t begin until after an analysis of alternative biodetection systems, the BioWatch program manager testified Tuesday. On behalf of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council will host a workshop on June 25-26  Read More »

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