Library

SUMMARY — … However, the threat of biological attack–as distinct from chemical and nuclear attacks–has raised new concerns about our national security. … Preparation and surveillance are most critical to a threat of bioterrorism, and the only way to fulfill the Constitutional mandates is for the federal government to provide adequate national security. … Thus,  Read More »

Introduction — Why? The first revelation is the unique features of bioterrorism make it particularly unmanageable in our current legal framework. Federal authorities and experts have organized these as weapons of mass destruction, earning the collective acronym, WMD; yet radiological, nuclear, and chemical threats differ significantly from bio- logical threats. Radiological, nuclear, and chemical threats  Read More »

Introduction — This article seeks to describe the current organizational structure, the role of the federal agencies in the context of biodefense and the federalism relationship with the states. The President’s proposal for a Department of Homeland Security is also examined in the context of the legal implications for biodefense, and the shift in federalism  Read More »

Introduction — The environment and public health goals hold a common value of healthy populations. The threat of bioterrorism requires a partnership of both, building upon the long history of the link between public health and the environment. This existing relationship is key to an effective system of biodefense for the nation, because the use  Read More »

Abstract — The U.S. approach to defense against bioterrorism is being done largely within existing legal frameworks and in response to new laws that address this challenge—rather than technology driving the development of law. While the biotechnology revolution has resulted in a wide range of biodefense applications, these can only be applied within existing constitutional  Read More »