America's Food: Does Anthrax Pose A Threat

摘要

The project addresses the pathogen B. anthracis and its potential use to maliciously contaminate America's food supply. The potential social, political and economic ramifications of such an agro-terrorism attack are addressed at length. The preparedness of the United States to stave off such an act of aggression is also evaluated. Lastly, the paper's emphasis is the threat of anthrax to America's food and livestock, and its potential to cause fatal food poisoning. The methodology used is an extensive review of open-source literature, including medical and scientific journals, general publications and current news items. There is much emphasis on food security as an issue of national security. Conclusions are that the United States has one of the safest food supplies in the world; however nothing is entirely secure. The use of anthrax against United States food supplies would unlikely cause high numbers of deaths, but could instead incite social, political and economic instability through frank terrorism. The paper recommends a closer look at the anthrax vaccination program for animals, but agrees with the CDC that the vaccine is not indicated for first responders and medical personnel, based on the intelligence available regarding the threat. The paper emphasizes food security as an integral part of national security and recommends additional research in this area as part of Homeland Defense.