Abstract

THE RACE BETWEEN SCIENCE AND SECURITY: A REVIEW OF THE PREVENTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS

*Irshad Ahmed, Shakeel Ahmed, Arshiya Begum and Hafeez Khan

Abstract

Throughout history, biological weapons have been utilized as a tool to inflict harm and instil fear in humans, animals, and plants. The insidious nature of these agents lies in their invisibility, silence, lack of odour, and taste, which makes them a potentially devastating weapon that can be easily disseminated and produced at a low cost. To protect the health and safety of those working in laboratory and research settings, it is crucial to implement various safeguards, such as engineering controls, effective laboratory and microbiological techniques, personal protective equipment, and decontamination procedures. However, when dealing with an incident in the field, relying solely on individual protective measures, equipment, and decontamination procedures may be necessary. In either scenario, it is imperative to promptly evaluate the situation and implement risk management protocols to mitigate health, safety, and environmental risks. Microbiologists and biological safety professionals can be critical in providing a practical assessment to responsible officials during a biological weapons incident. This assessment can help address microbiological and safety concerns, alleviate fears among those responding to the incident and aid in managing individuals who may have been exposed to the threat agent. It is important to recognize the significance of their expertise and knowledge in handling such incidents and to utilize their insights to protect public health and safety.

Keywords: Personal protection, incident response, decontamination.