While the deadly repercussions of these incidents is clear, the probability of them occurring remains debatable, even after the recent albeit less deadly, anthrax incidents in Florida, New York, New Jersey, and the nation's capital area. The amounts of material required, the skill and technology involved, the delivery methods-all are difficult objectives to realize, experts say. Such attacks require high levels of expertise and organization, plus time, money, and trial and error, says Raymond Zilinskas, senior scientist at the Center for Nonproliferative Studies, Monterey Institute of International Studies.
But no one is saying it's impossible. What they are saying is that current and future research that could result in vaccines, antigens or genes resistant to toxins, or even skin creams, would mitigate casualties and alleviate panic. And others are saying that the research community could help if some switched their current investigative gears to studying bioterrorism.
"Beyond a few prominent ...
