homeland security forum responses(212)

The fact that we should be ready for a CBRN attack soon is without question certainty, not only is it possible in the US but it is a global risk. We can be grateful that to produce nuclear weapons it requires a substantial amount of resources that today can only be attained by state sponsored agencies that have a large amount of financial resources to acquire the necessary materials, equipment, and specialists to produce this type capability. With this we see how a non-state sponsored organization wanting to produce these things for the right or wrong intentions, will have an unsuccessful attempt at this complex process. This, of course, reduces the amount of organizations that can have access to this type of support, especially reducing the opportunity for terrorist organizations and the extremely evil intentions they have planned for these types of resources.

“Whether a terrorist will employ a unique means such as biological weapons is directly related to the ability to develop the capabilities, intentions, and knowledge necessary for perpetrating a bioterror attack” (Gerstein 2010, 80).

But as far as biological weapons are concerned, the need for high-level equipment, massive amounts of financial support, and knowledgeable experts to produce the biological warfare agents are not required and it even goes as far as being able to use equipment and technology that we can find on amazon; this is possible mainly because biological agents are naturally occurring and there is no need for excessive preparation or extreme transportation security issues like the ones encountered with nuclear and radiological material (Gerstein 2010, 83).

The Rajneesh commune in Oregon is one of the known bioterrorist groups know to have carried out a generally targeted mass-murder bioterror plot on American soil in 1985, Spreading dangerous bacteria and poisoning at least 700 people in restaurant salad bars, grocery stores, a public building, and a political rally (Zaitz 2014, NP). This goes to prove that if they have the need for it, it is possible to find a biological warfare agent, and much easier, than a nuclear or radiological and it can be applied without the target suspecting anything.

Today we have technology that helps protect us and helps look for cures and vaccines like DNA engineering, but unfortunately that same technology can be used to alter the disease’s effectiveness and efficiency, as well the lethality, incubation time, and making it more effective and stable in the environment (Gerstein 2010, 83). It is true that technology has come to make our lives easier, longer, and better, but the same technology that has the potential for good things could turn into our own demise in the future.

Sources

· Gerstein, D. M. (2010). Bioterror in the Age of Biotechnology. Joint Force Quarterly, 57(2). 78-85.

· Zaitz, L. (2011). 25 Years after Rajneeshee Commune Collapsed, Truth Spills Out. The Oregonian. Updated February 18, 2014. Accessed 11/30/2016.