Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Biological weapons--a primer for microbiologists.

R J Hawley1, E M Eitzen

  • 1Chief, Safety and Radiation Protection, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, 21702-5011, USA. bob.hawley@amedd.army.mil

Annual Review of Microbiology
|September 7, 2001
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Implementing constructed wetlands for nutrient reduction at watershed scale: Opportunity to link models and real-world execution.

Journal of soil and water conservation·2024
Same author

Transgenic expression of human CD47 markedly increases engraftment in a murine model of pig-to-human hematopoietic cell transplantation.

American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons·2014
Same author

Potential of aspirin to inhibit thrombotic microangiopathy in alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase gene-knockout pig hearts after transplantation in baboons.

Transplantation proceedings·2005
Same author

Transgenic swine for biomedicine and agriculture.

Theriogenology·2002
Same author

Clinical recognition and management of patients exposed to biological warfare agents.

Clinics in laboratory medicine·2001
Same author

Bioterrorism.

Journal of environmental health·2001
Same journal

Host-Pathogen Interactions in Malaria: Invasion, Neutralization, and Evasion.

Annual review of microbiology·2026
Same journal

From an Interest in Molecules to a Fascination with Microbes.

Annual review of microbiology·2026
Same journal

Bacterial Physiology in the Context of Algal Partners.

Annual review of microbiology·2026
Same journal

Decoding Microbial Community Assembly: Insights on Vectors of Infectious Diseases.

Annual review of microbiology·2025
Same journal

Circadian Biology in Parasites: Beyond Known Mechanisms.

Annual review of microbiology·2025
Same journal

The Antimicrobial and Host Defense Peptides of <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>.

Annual review of microbiology·2025
See all related articles

Biological weapons, though ancient, pose a significant threat due to their ease of dispersal and low production cost. Effective risk management and safety protocols are crucial for protection in laboratory and field settings.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Public Health
  • Biosecurity

Background:

  • Biological agents have been historically weaponized for millennia, causing widespread fear and harm.
  • Their covert nature (invisible, silent, odorless) makes them potent tools for warfare and terror.

Observation:

  • Biological agents are easily dispersed and inexpensive to produce, presenting a unique threat.
  • Protection strategies vary between laboratory settings and field responses.

Findings:

  • Laboratory environments require engineering controls, specialized techniques, personal protective equipment (PPE), and decontamination.
  • Field responses rely primarily on PPE, equipment, and decontamination procedures.

Implications:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Immediate situation evaluation and risk management are paramount in any biological weapons incident.
  • Microbiologists and safety professionals play a key role in assessing threats, informing officials, and managing public concerns and exposed individuals.