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Medicine for the Public 2002
Every American citizen became sensitized to bioterrorism after the anthrax letter events of October 2001. In a world where politics and economic trends are dictated by the United States, biological weapons offer an asymmetric advantage to political or religious groups waging war with the United States and the American way of life. Dr. Noel will present the recent history of biological warfare programs, which offer a good perspective of what the future may hold. He will also discuss the biologic and physical characteristics that may render a biological agent a potential weapon. Anthrax, plague and smallpox are three of the most likely organisms to be used as biological weapons. Understanding the biology, mechanisms of toxicity, modes of spread and current preventive and therapeutic measures, lays the groundwork for future research in biodefense.
Pierre Noel, M.D.
Chief, Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine
NIH Clinical Center
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