Experts say U.S. has weak protection against biological attack
Submitted on July 13, 2005 - 12:00am.
Adrien M. Martin - Summer 2005
WASHINGTON – The United States is thinly shielded against biological weapons, witnesses warned lawmakers Wednesday, in the first of a series of hearings on the issue.
The House Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack heard testimony from three witnesses who said the threat of a biological attack from diseases such as anthrax was greater than a nuclear attack and less detectable.
Tracking nuclear material and the equipment needed to covert it into a weapon means making sure all materials are accounted for, said James R. Langevin, D-R.I. “We don't have that luxury in the case of biological weapons.”
The House Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack heard testimony from three witnesses who said the threat of a biological attack from diseases such as anthrax was greater than a nuclear attack and less detectable.
Tracking nuclear material and the equipment needed to covert it into a weapon means making sure all materials are accounted for, said James R. Langevin, D-R.I. “We don't have that luxury in the case of biological weapons.”
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