Pre-perception Of Weapons Development Is Impossible

▽ Weapon development can’t be predicted; After anthrax bacteria incident ‘dreadful white powder’ that took place in the U.S at the end of last year, law for prevention of biological terrorism was passed. This law was passed to manage 42 main dangerous spores specially. However, Terens Tailer, chief of international strategy research, mentioned, “Current biological genetic engineering technology can create dangerous spores by combining different dielectrics, therefore, ‘list of dangerous spores’ is of no use.”

Also, ‘raw materials’ of biological weapons has various purposes; therefore, it is hard to distinguish ‘wicked intention’. The Economist added, “High technology facilities which U.N weapons inspectors can use is expected to be developed, however, if they find out bacillus, they have no option but to inquire scientists in order to know whether it can be used as weapons.”

▽ Helpless measures for aftermath; biological attack can only be recognized after some people get infected.

U.S government is developing early alarm system that is check list of number of patients who show certain symptoms, sale amount of remedy material and symptoms of unusual crops or livestock and monitors air, water, etc.

CDC, after law for preventing biological terrorism passed, received budget of 11 billion dollars and is using it for preparation of ‘early alarm network’ for health. It plans to connect stock amount of national pharmacy so that, in case of emergency situation, it can supply antibiotics or vaccine to the whole nation within 12 hours.

However, economist pointed, “ local health center or hospital which should perceive symptoms are suffering due to deficit, therefore, if not supporting such local health centers, network for preventing disaster would be of no effect. ”

Seung-Jin Kim sarafina@donga.com