3.6. Skim the following text to define bioterrorism. Preparing for the Worst: Bioterrorism

Whereas an effective terrorist attack involving chemical agents could cause tens or hundreds of thousands of casualties, an effective attack using biological pathogens could result in millions. It is well known that members of the Al Qaeda organization have sought to acquire biological agents for attack and have contacts with states that possess biological weapon programs. The anthrax attacks that followed the September 11 attacks effectively ended the debate about whether or not terrorists could acquire and use biological agents.

They have done so and they will continue to do so.

The good news is that biological pathogens are generally difficult to weaponize – that is, it is difficult to take them from a laboratory, produce them in large quantities, and turn them into a form that can be effectively dispersed to cause mass casualties. The bad news is that terrorists would need only a small quantity of a highly contagious pathogen like smallpox to infect enough people to cause mass casualties. Each infected individual, in effect, would become a walking biological weapon – a danger whose dimensions are magnified in our modern, mobile society. A local bio-attack could quickly become a national crisis with the potential to destroy the country.

Today’s security measures are not adequate to prevent the theft of dangerous pathogens. Furthermore, literally tons of Cold War-era biological weapons agents are easy to obtain.

In addition, we are ill prepared to prevent the dire consequences of a large-scale bioterrorism attack. We currently lack the stockpiles of vaccines and antibiotics and the means of rapid distribution that would be required for an effective response. We also lack trained and equipped cadre of first responders to cope with a bioterrorism attack.

The less prepared we are for a bioterrorism event, the greater the panic that is likely to follow, and the more threats there will be to civil liberties and people’s lives.

Only by preparing for the worst case scenario can hope to limit its consequences.

Source: Abridged from Campbell K.M., M.A.Flournoy. To Prevail.

Size: 2,082 characters with spaces

3.6.1. Comprehension.

Answer the following question.

Are today’s measures adequate to prevent the theft of dangerous pathogens?

Find the facts proving the following statements.

1. Terrorist organizations can acquire and use biological weapons.

2. It is difficult to weaponize biological pathogens.

3. Biological weapons are very dangerous.

4. We are not prepared to prevent the dire consequences of a bio-attack.

5. We can limit the consequences of a bio-attack.

3.6.2. Key Vocabulary

ENTRY	TRANSLATION	EXAMPLES AND NOTES
anthrax n	сибирская язва	In our post-9/11 world many people are concerned with possible terrorist threats, including anthrax, explosive-mail and other terrorist incidents in the U.S.
pathogen n	патогены; возбудители инфекции	Knowledge is the primary factor needed by a large terrorist group in order to weaponize certain pathogens.
cause mass casualties	приводить к массовым жертвам	Although the anthrax letters did not appear to have been designed to cause mass casualties, there is now great concern that these or similar perpetrators might employ higher technology delivery systems and affect larger numbers of people in future attacks.
disperse v	распространять; распылять	Terrorists could launch an attack by placing a container of radioactive material in a public place and an airplane can easily disperse radioactive material as a powder or an aerosol.
contagious adj	заразный	In the case of contagious disease, exposed victims may present a continued threat to others, extending the attack in time and geography.
acquire/obtain and use biological agents	приобретать и использовать биологические агенты (отравляющие вещества)	A wide range of groups or individuals might use biological agents as instruments of terror.
conduct attacks using biological agents	произвести нападения с использованием биологических веществ	The efforts to conduct attacks using biological agents have been unsuccessful.
prevent dire consequences	предотвратить ужасные последствия	For most people, the term “emergency” describes a situation where one has to move with speed and determination to prevent dire consequences from happening.
weaponize v	превращать в оружие	Weaponizing bacteria and viruses requires a terrorist to have access to sophisticated equipment and trained personnel.

FOCUS 4