Biological terrorism targeted at agriculture: The threat to US national security

Casagrande, Rocco

doi:10.1080/10736700008436827

Cited by 43 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…In addition to natural outbreaks, crops are vulnerable to deliberate biological attack (5,31,105,188,190). Agriculture can be an attractive target for the introduction of pathogens as bioweapons because of its critical role in the infrastructure of most nations.…”

Section: Vulnerability Of Us Crops Rangelands and Forestsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Over many decades, various state-sponsored research programs have been established with the goal of using weaponized microorganisms as part of the country's military arsenal (31,32,105,188,190). The United States conducted research involving a number of pathogenic microbes, including the biological agents causing anthrax, foot and mouth disease, and rice blast.…”

Section: History Of Plant Pathogens As Bioweaponsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A biological attack on U.S. crops, rangelands, or forests could reduce the yield and quality of agricultural products, erode consumer confidence, affect nutrition, adversely impact the nation's economic health and international markets, and cause harm to the environment (31,105,188,189,190). Preparedness for a crop bioterror event must begin with recognition of the threat, which must lead to the development of a plan to thwart, or to respond to and attribute, an attack.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Plant Pathogen Forensics: Capabilities, Needs, and Recommendations

Fletcher

Bender

Budowle

et al. 2006

Microbiol Mol Biol Rev

163

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SUMMARY A biological attack on U.S. crops, rangelands, or forests could reduce yield and quality, erode consumer confidence, affect economic health and the environment, and possibly impact human nutrition and international relations. Preparedness for a crop bioterror event requires a strong national security plan that includes steps for microbial forensics and criminal attribution. However, U.S. crop producers, consultants, and agricultural scientists have traditionally focused primarily on strategies for prevention and management of diseases introduced naturally or unintentionally rather than on responding appropriately to an intentional pathogen introduction. We assess currently available information, technologies, and resources that were developed originally to ensure plant health but also could be utilized for postintroduction plant pathogen forensics. Recommendations for prioritization of efforts and resource expenditures needed to enhance our plant pathogen forensics capabilities are presented.

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Section: Vulnerability Of Us Crops Rangelands and Forestsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: History Of Plant Pathogens As Bioweaponsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Plant Pathogen Forensics: Capabilities, Needs, and Recommendations

Fletcher

Bender

Budowle

et al. 2006

Microbiol Mol Biol Rev

163

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“…The risk analysis rates as two out of three (the likelihood of intentional introduction of CVC in the US), whereas the high rates are assigned to epidemiologic assessment (establishment and spread potential) more than economic damage. In addition to political and religious ideological motivations that may lead to economic-based bioterrorism attacks, further motivation is related to genetically-modified (GM) organisms [81] and the possibility that activists will turn to diseases as weapons to attack GMOs [82]. Similarly, revenge against research and development of pathogens for killing or reducing yields of opium poppy, coca, and cannabis should be considered [83].…”

Section: Risk Analysis and Policy Formulations For X Fastidiosa Manamentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable Management of Plant Quarantine Pests: The Case of Olive Quick Decline Syndrome

Luvisi

Nicolì

Bellis³

2017

Sustainability

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Abstract:The disease outbreak of Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca strain CoDiRO (Complesso del Disseccamento Rapido dell'Olivo) in Salento (Apulia, South Italy) associated with severe cases of olive quick decline syndrome may represent not just a new disease paradigm, but a challenge for policy formulation and science communication in plant pathology. Plant health management can be achieved by applying a technocratic model, in which objective science is thought to directly inform policy-making, or via decisionistic or inclusive models, in which scientific considerations drive risk assessment. Each could be applied to X. fastidiosa and CoDiRO strain management, thanks to consistent literature related to pathogen/host interactions, hosts, vectors, and diagnostic tools, reviewed here. However, consensus among stakeholders seems to be necessary in order to avoid plant health management failures or gridlocks, due to environmental, economic, and social implications in the X. fastidiosa threat. Here we discuss the role of consensus in building scientific opinion, reporting different approaches of governance after severe disease outbreaks in Europe. These case studies, and the available risk analysis for Xylella strains, should drive policy formulations towards more cooperative networks.

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“…Fusarium has been considered for use as an agent to eradicate coca plants in Columbia (1), suggesting that Fusarium species might be suitable for adaptation as biological warfare agents against food crops. Despite a great deal of speculation about the potential for using plant pathogens to disrupt or destroy agriculture (11,18), there is little direct evidence of its practicality or successful deployment by rogue scientists. But as a preventative measure, and as a direct consequence of terrorism occurring on U.S. soil on September 11, 2001, the USA Patriot Act was legislated with strict controls on biological agents and toxins.…”

Section: Biological Warfare and Terrorismmentioning

confidence: 99%

One Foot in the Furrow: Linkages Between Agriculture, Plant Pathology, and Public Health

Scholthof

2003

Annu. Rev. Public Health

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Key Words genetically modified crops, mycotoxigenic fungi, biological control, environmental health, disease triangle s Abstract Plant pathology is a field of biology that focuses on understanding the nature of disease in plants as well as on more practical aspects of preventing and controlling plant diseases in crop plants that are important to agriculture. Throughout history, plant diseases have had significant effects on human health and welfare. Several examples, in both historical and contemporary contexts, are presented in this review to show how plant pathogens, biotechnology, and farming practices have affected public health. Specific topics illustrating clear linkages between agriculture and human health include allergens in the environment, food-safety and agricultural practices, mycotoxigenic fungi, agrobioterrorism, and the biological control of plant diseases. The further argument is made that in order to monitor and ensure that good health and safety practices are maintained from "farm to fork," public health specialists may benefit from the resources and expertise of agricultural scientists. Man does not live by bread alone-but he must have bread. And he must have bread that is truly a staff of life, not a scepter of death (44).

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Biological terrorism targeted at agriculture: The threat to US national security

Cited by 43 publications

References 18 publications

Plant Pathogen Forensics: Capabilities, Needs, and Recommendations

Plant Pathogen Forensics: Capabilities, Needs, and Recommendations

Sustainable Management of Plant Quarantine Pests: The Case of Olive Quick Decline Syndrome

One Foot in the Furrow: Linkages Between Agriculture, Plant Pathology, and Public Health

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