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Bioterrorism is simply terrorism that involves biological agents, which can take the form of bacteria or fungi, viruses, or toxins that are produced by living things. An act of bioterrorism does not have to involve actual biological weapons; it can also take the form of a hoax, such as the distribution of letters claiming to contain dangerous microorganisms through the mail, or even the simple threat of an attack. These actions can cause terror just the same as a full-scale attack.

The range of effects that a biological attack can produce is broad. These agents may be used to target a single person, such as in the assassination of a world leader. They can also cause the incapacitation or death of thousands of victims, as well as posing a long-term threat to the population by contaminating their environment.

In the twentieth century, World War I saw the development of anthrax, glanders, cholera, and a wheat fungus for WMDs, although none of these agents were confirmed to have been used as weapons. The German forces were accused of spreading plague in St. Petersburg and attempting to infect French Cavalry horses with glanders. Biological WMDs were not used in World War II either, but both the United States and Japan conducted research on biological agents for use in warfare. The Japanese operated a notorious research facility in Manchuria where human prisoners were exposed to plague, anthrax, syphilis, and other agents. The United States, fearful that the Germans would develop and use biological weapons, began researching anthrax and botulinum toxin. By 1944, large

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What Is Biological Terrorism?

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