In the aftermath of September 11 and the delivery of anthrax through the mail, bioterrorism has been a subject of great concern and some misunderstanding. With these fears and uncertainties in mind, the authors of Agents of Bioterrorism offer a clear, balanced, and thorough account of the threats posed by bioterrorism and how to prepare for and respond to an attack. This volume explores a range of topics and provides considerable information and insight for scientists, public safety officials, policymakers, and concerned citizens. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified various pathogens as Category A, B, or C, depending on their prevalence, ease of access and use, and potential effects if and when used in a bioterrorist attack. Examining pathogens from all three categories, the contributors consider thirteen disease-causing agents, including those responsible for anthrax, encephalitis, botulism, ebola, tularemia, salmonella, the plague, smallpox, influenza, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Each chapter considers a particular pathogen from the standpoint of its history, molecular biology, pathology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, weaponization, and defenses. The book contains four appendices covering rapid drug discovery, different strategies for making vaccines, protection of the population in a bioterror attack, and sources of information on bioterrorism. A glossary is also included. Although bioterrorism is not new to human society, scientific advances have resulted in a greater understanding of how pathogens produce their toxins and how they can be used to produce a wide range of new bioweapons. These advances have also led to new defenses against disease-causing agents. The contributors demonstrate that by understanding the pathogens used in bioterrorism, scientists can help to minimize fear and encourage constructive responses to this threat.

We might ask whether bioterrorism is something new or something recently conceived. The answer is that it is as old as recorded history... What distinguishes contemporary bioterrorism are the scientific advances that have been made in our understanding of how pathogens produce their toxins and how we can protect ourselves against them. On the one hand, this has also resulted in the discovery of a wide range of new bioweapons. On the other hand, this has resulted in the discovery of procedures for protecting against serious pathogens.