Biological Warfare: A Nation at Risk - A Time to Act

Danzig, Richard

doi:10.21236/ada385779

Cited by 14 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…In 1969, the cost of generating a casualty per square kilometer was estimated to be US$2000 for conventional warfare, US$800 for nuclear warfare, and US$600 for chemical warfare (Danzig 1996). One reason is cost.…”

Section: Murdermentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological Toxins and Bioterrorism

Gopalakrishnakone¹,

Balali-Mood²,

Llewellyn³

et al. 2015

Toxinology

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In recent years, the field of toxinology has expanded substantially. On the one hand it studies venomous animals, plants and micro organisms in detail to understand their mode of action on targets. While on the other, it explores the biochemical composition, genomics and proteomics of toxins and venoms to understand their three interaction with life forms (especially humans), development of antidotes and exploring their pharmacological potential. Therefore, toxinology has deep linkages with biochemistry, molecular biology, anatomy and pharmacology. In addition, there is a fast-developing applied subfield, clinical toxinology, which deals with understanding and managing medical effects of toxins on human body. Given the huge impact of toxin-based deaths globally, and the potential of venom in generation of drugs for so-far incurable diseases (for example, diabetes, chronic pain), the continued research and growth of the field is imminent. This has led to the growth of research in the area and the consequent scholarly output by way of publications in journals and books. Despite this ever-growing body of literature within biomedical sciences, there is still no all-inclusive reference work available that collects all of the important biochemical, biomedical and clinical insights relating to toxinology. Composed of 11 volumes, Toxinology provides comprehensive and authoritative coverage of the main areas in toxinology, from fundamental concepts to new developments and applications in the field. Each volume comprises a focused and carefully chosen collection of contributions from leading names in the subject.

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Section: Murdermentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological Toxins and Bioterrorism

Gopalakrishnakone¹,

Balali-Mood²,

Llewellyn³

et al. 2015

Toxinology

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“…One reason is cost. In 1969, the cost of generating a casualty per square kilometer was estimated to be US$2000 for conventional warfare, US$800 for nuclear warfare, and US$600 for chemical warfare (Danzig 1996). These all paled in comparison to biological warfare however which in the same analysis was estimated to only cost $1 per casualty per square kilometer.…”

Section: Military Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Marine Biotoxins in History: Misuse and Mayhem

Llewellyn

2014

Toxinology

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Saxitoxin (STX) and tetrodotoxin (TTX) have a colorful history. Two of the most toxic natural toxins known, they have been used as weapons to commit suicide, attempt, or successfully commit murder, and STX has been officially declared a chemical weapon by the world's governments. This meant that it was no longer a natural marine chemical of interest to toxinologists, pharmacologists, and at times seafood producers (because it can taint their product); it had now come upon the radar of many government agencies. TTX has its own mystique more renowned as the toxin of "fugu" fame, but also been blamed as the active agent in the zombification rituals in some Caribbean cultures. However, deliberate intoxications by these toxins remain far fewer than accidental deaths through eating poorly prepared fugu meals or saxitoxin-infested shellfish. Diagnosis, rather than detection, remains the best means of identifying whether a victim has been purposefully intoxicated. Treatment of intoxication by STX or TTX is still relatively crude, relying mostly upon gastric evacuation to remove unabsorbed toxin and symptomatic relief to nurse the victim through the acute phase of an intoxication and then relying upon the body's natural recovery mechanisms. Some potential pharmaceutical treatment options exist, but these have only been tested in small mammal studies, upon few test animals, and under limited conditions and would require significant investment in resources to progress them beyond the laboratory.

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“…In August 1995, Iraq revealed that during the Gulf War, 11,200 litre of botulinum toxin was loaded into specially designed SCUD missile warheads 26 . In addition, before the Aum Shinrikyo used sarin in the 1995 terrorist attack on the Tokyo subway system, the cult had produced botulinum toxin 27 .…”

Section: Potential Biological Weapons For Military Terroristsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Botulinum Toxin; Bioterror and Biomedicinal Agent

Patočka

Kuča

Jun

2006

DSJ

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Botulinum toxin is a group of seven homologous, highly poisonous proteins isolated from fermentation of the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which naturally occurs in soil and can grow on many meats and vegetables. Botulinum toxin causes neuromuscular disorder called botulism, which is a potentially lethal disease. There are three types of botulism: Food, wound, and infant botulism. It can lead to death unless appropriate therapy is done. Due to the severity and potency of botulinum toxin, its importance as a biological weapon is of major concern to public health officials. Nevertheless, botulinum toxin is also medicament.

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Biological Warfare: A Nation at Risk - A Time to Act

Cited by 14 publications

References 0 publications

Biological Toxins and Bioterrorism

Biological Toxins and Bioterrorism

Marine Biotoxins in History: Misuse and Mayhem

Botulinum Toxin; Bioterror and Biomedicinal Agent

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