The Dangers of Anthrax

Paper Summary:

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, anthrax, a deadly chemical agent, began showing up in many areas of the East Coast. The nation came to fear anthrax, but was that fear justified? The paper argues that while the anthrax outbreaks caused relatively few deaths, the use of anthrax as a weapon of bioterrorism should be anticipated with fear and dread. The agent is deadly and the vaccines against it are controversial at best. The paper shows that anthrax is indeed a weapon of mass destruction if it falls into the wrong hands.

From the Paper:

"Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of anthrax is its longevity. The spores can lie dormant for literally years, but they can still infect a person after years of exposure to the elements. Researchers know this because of past studies conducted on the disease and the spores that cause it. For example, British researchers studied the disease and its affect on animals for about a year in an isolated Scottish bog during World War II. During their studies, they exposed sheep to various types of weapons containing anthrax spores, including bombs, bullets, and other dispersants."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Kirby, James E. 2004 Anthrax Lethal Toxin Induces Human Endothelial Cell Apoptosis. Infection and Immunity 72(1):430-439.
• Brookmeyer, Ron, and Natalie Blades. 2003 Statistical Models and Bioterrorism: Application to the U.S. Anthrax Outbreak. Journal of the American Statistical Association 98(4640:781+.
• Gritt, Jennifer A. 2001 Bioterror Outbreak. The New American November 19:13.
• Guyer, Ruth Levy, and Jonathan D. Moreno. 2002 Bioterror. Social Education 66(2):80+.
• Kellman, Barry. 2001 Biological Terrorism: Legal Measures for Preventing Catastrophe. Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy 24( 2):417.

More papers on The Dangers of Anthrax:

• Analytical Essay # 9976 : "The Use of Anthrax in Bioterrorism"
• Term Paper # 100787 : "Bioterrorism"
• Research Paper # 95117 : "Biological Terrorism"

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