Food Terrorism Is the Intentional Act.

Tiffany Shelby

09/29/13

Bioterrorism

John Genis

CJC 3440

        Food terrorism is the intentional act of  trying to cause injury or death to civil populations by contaminating food with chemical, biological, or radio-nuclear agents.  There are many ways that terrorist can sabotage our food supply. Tampering with crops during production, harvesting, or live stock are all ways that this can be done and is often referred to as bioterrorism.   If a terrorist was to attack our livestock or crop this would be considered an agroterrorism attack. An agroterrorism attack on the U.S would cause our country to become victim to economic warfare.  On June 12, 2002 President George Bush signed the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002.  The  2002 Preparedness Act  was implemented to help the U.S government to deter,  prepare for and know how to respond to acts of bioterrorism or anything in such danger that could pose a threat to U.S agriculture.  

         “In order to prevent terrorism on processed food the government has created surveillance programs to prevent foods from being tampered with during processing, manufacturing, storage transport distribution, or service.”  Anthrax, botulism, plague, smallpox, and tularemia are all a few things to list that can cause bioterrorism to our Nation. There are several ways to prepare in case we are attacked. One way to prepare is by developing vaccines and drugs to treat those that may become infected as a result of the attack. Not only is it important to have these vaccines ready it should also be well thought out on how the vaccines will be distributed if ever needed. By educating health officials and first responders about the symptoms of uncommon diseases  this can help to make us aware of an bioterrorism attack.

        Another way to prepare for an attack is by educating everyone. By educating everyone it can help to save lives. People will know some of the signs of having been infected and where and what to do. Instead of panicking and fleeing which could infect others they will know where to go. Making sure the public knows what to do in an event of an attack such as stocking up on supplies just as would be done an tornado warning. Keeping canned goods and bottled water are always great to have in an event of an attack.   Another way to prepare is by making sure that hospitals are prepared and ready to treat victims at any time that an outbreak make occur.  Hospitals should be equipped with large quantities of vaccines.  “Local health and hospital systems need enough guidance, leadership, and financial support to respond effectively to a new outbreak of disease.”. (Hunter)  With having staff employed that demonstrate good leadership skills in an event of an outbreak decisions are able to be made in an timely manner. With the financial support hospitals have greater possibility of being able to handle bioterrorist attacks.