Requirements for Defense Against Biological Warfare

Requirements for Defense Against Biological Warfare

The BW-CW Panel of the President's Science Advisory Committee seeks to review the problems of the US preparedness against biological weapons attacks to our armed forces or civilian population and to outline the requirements for sufficient defensive capability. It also addresses the general public suspicion of biological weapons programs and which aspects of the program could be declassified.

1970

Although the President scaled back all offensive BW programs in 1970, this committee believes that robust defensive research should continue as other countries have not followed suit in discontinuing their programs. Funded defensive research should focus on detection, medical defense, and intelligence gathering. Civilian research on aerobiology, toxins, and the screening of new agents is sufficient for the defense needs of the country.