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Title: Agricultural Bioterrorism
Author: Radford G. Davis
Article URL: https://www.actionbioscience.org/biotechnology/davis.html
Author Credibility: Assistant Professor of Public Health at Iowa State
University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary
Microbiology and Preventive Medicine
Key Points about Bioterrorism
• Agricultural Bioterrorism or agroterrorism presents a
huge threat to the US, and other countries. A contagion
introduced to plant or animal food supply chains could be
devastating to world economies and world food supplies.
Examples:
• Air-born contagion, introduced to crops, spreads
and cripples food production. E.g.: Wheat, corn,
soy beans.
• Harmful virus introduced to livestock could cost
US economy billions of dollars. E.g.: cattle, swine
Important Terms for Understanding
• Bioterrorism The use of biotechnology to disrupt a
country’s food supply by contaminating plants and
animals. Agroterrorism- a synonymous term.
• Agroterrorism Agent Diseased animals, an aerosol
spray, or a powdered-bomb of contagions dropped in
a field or range. The most effective way to spread the
contagions is through the air.
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Potential Positive Outcomes
Advanced planning means:
• Fast and knowledgeable response from USDA
and other agencies
• The Regional Emergency Animal Disease
Eradication Organization (created specifically
to deal with these issues)
• Plant biologists, Vets, HAZMATs and other
professionals are aware of the risks
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Potential Negative Outcomes
• Disruption to food supply causing devastation
to economy and long-term health implications.
• An attack on the US causing a domino effect to
a multitude of producers and businesses along
the supply and distribution chain.
• Food shortages world wide
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Discussion Questions:
Why is it important for the US
government to be thinking now
about the possibility of an
agroterrorist attack?
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Why would a successful
agroterrorist attack have
such a big impact on the
United States and the
world?
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