The author argues that the global resource base is shifting from geology (oil & metal) to biology (genes). He envisions that "Conflicts may arise between gene-rich, technology-poor countries that control the basic raw materials of a biobased economy and gene-poor, technology-rich nations that control the production methods" and that "homeland defense will have to consider heartland defense, as agricultural fields will assume the same significance as oil fields."
Agriculture in the USA is vulnerable to an attack from biological organisms, and there is little anyone can do to prevent it, a federal study by leading experts concludes. However, the infrastructure that is already in place to prevent natural epidemics in livestock and crops could be strengthened to provide rapid response and containment of a terrorist act.
A new report from a National Academy of Sciences panel of experts says the United States is not prepared to prevent, detect or respond to a biological terror attack on the country?s food supply or farms.
The United States is highly vulnerable to terrorist attacks on its livestock and food crops and needs a national plan to identify threats, direct research, gather intelligence and respond to outbreaks, according to committee of experts from the National Academy of Sciences.
Although the Bush administration has invested hundreds of millions of dollars over the past year to strengthen the nation's defenses against a biological attack, experts say the United States remains highly vulnerable to bioterrorism, particularly strikes on the food supply.
Peter Chalk reccommends several policy options for protecting the U.S. food and agricultural base from terrorist attack.
A team of chemists, microbiologists and food scientists have devised a way to tether luminescent molecules to food pathogens, such as E.coli, and Salmonella. Using nanotechnology, the researchers are building a new screening method to protect our food supply from agroterrorism.
In the nearly eight months since the terrorist attacks, the nation's defense against bioterrorism has focused on agents that can kill people, such as anthrax and smallpox. But an attack on crops or livestock could devastate parts of America's $1.3 trillion agricultural economy: countless dead animals, spoiled harvests, billions of dollars in lost exports, disrupted transport and processing of food, and chaos in stock and futures markets.
Dr. Cunnion examines national vulnerabilities, terrorist capabilities, and historical cases of poison and disease spread through contaminated food, accidentally or deliberately.
Researchers and regulators met at the International Seafood Show to discuss ways of protecting the seafood industry from bioterrorism.