How Much Is Enough: Real-Time Detection and Identification of Biological Weapon Agents
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Thomas W Graham
Winning the war against terrorism will require adoption of new strategies for decision-making, communication, and research and development.This is particularly true with respect to real-time detection and identification (DI) of Biological Weapons (BW). Real-time bio-sensors presently used by the military do not satisfy the requirements for a civilian environment. More sophisticated BW sensors are needed with false positives and false negatives minimized and addressed. Expert first responders and health professionals in a few cities are becoming familiar with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based sensors, but are mostly unaware of other real-time BW DI possibilities in the R&D pipeline. The aim of this paper is to provide individuals outside of the BW research community with an overview of the current status and future prospects for real-time BW detection and identification.It is expected that the Dept. of Homeland Security will play an essential role in establishing incentive systems so that the most appropriate research is conducted and evaluated with peer review using both scientists and first responders. This type of overall strategy has the potential to finally produce real-time biosensors with required properties and keep our BW preparedness ahead of our terrorist enemies' emerging capabilities.
©2011 Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Research Article
- Homeland Security as an American Ideology: Implications for U.S. Policy and Action
- Adaptive Two-Player Hierarchical Holographic Modeling Game for Counterterrorism Intelligence Analysis
- How Much Is Enough: Real-Time Detection and Identification of Biological Weapon Agents
- Communication/News
- Protecting Soft Targets - the JW Marriott Jakarta Case Study
- Book Review
- First to Arrive: State and Local Responses to Terrorism
- Terrorism, Freedom, and Security: Winning Without War
- Chaos Organization and Disaster Management
- Introduction to Natural and Man-Made Disasters and Their Effects on Buildings
- Terrorism: Biological, Chemical, and Nuclear. Clinics in Occupational and Environmental Medicine
- Related Research Article
- Related Research in Other Publications
- Letter to the Editor
- Comments on the Transportation of Highly Radioactive Waste: Implications for Homeland Security
- Reply from K. Rogers to L. Sattler's Letter to Editor
Articles in the same Issue
- Research Article
- Homeland Security as an American Ideology: Implications for U.S. Policy and Action
- Adaptive Two-Player Hierarchical Holographic Modeling Game for Counterterrorism Intelligence Analysis
- How Much Is Enough: Real-Time Detection and Identification of Biological Weapon Agents
- Communication/News
- Protecting Soft Targets - the JW Marriott Jakarta Case Study
- Book Review
- First to Arrive: State and Local Responses to Terrorism
- Terrorism, Freedom, and Security: Winning Without War
- Chaos Organization and Disaster Management
- Introduction to Natural and Man-Made Disasters and Their Effects on Buildings
- Terrorism: Biological, Chemical, and Nuclear. Clinics in Occupational and Environmental Medicine
- Related Research Article
- Related Research in Other Publications
- Letter to the Editor
- Comments on the Transportation of Highly Radioactive Waste: Implications for Homeland Security
- Reply from K. Rogers to L. Sattler's Letter to Editor
