REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

www.mod.gov.rs

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Material Resources Sector

Defensive Technologies Department

Military Technical Institute

www.vti.mod.gov.rs

Technology for combating bioterrorism

Elizabeta ristanovic

Military Medical Academy, University of Defence, Belgrade, elizabet@eunet.rs

Abstract: The use of  microorganisms and toxins derived from live organisms  as biological warfare agents or weapons of terrorism are real and actual threat in security architecture of the modern world. BW agents are unique and different from all other weapon system. The broad spectrum of possible psychophysical and environmental consequences that BW could provoke and their further implications make them as strategic threats. Rapid science and technology (biotechnology, nanotechnology, genetic engeenering) development and potential misuse of their achievments makes the situation more serious. In this paper we discuss how the technology development can affect the bioterrorism and biodefense regarding to the identity of the agents, equipment necessary for their  production, containment, purification, stabilization and weaponization; BW agents dissemination as well as the equipment for detection, warning, rapid and specific molecular identification of biological agents and individual and collective biological defense systems including decontamination measures, protective masks and suits, immunization measures, antibiotic prophylaxis etc.

Keywords: biological warfare (BW), bioterrorism, technology, biodefence.