...Bioterrorism After events such as 9/11, terrorism still instills fear into America's population. Why? Simply because it is the one danger the American people cannot control. Biological terrorism is not always feared or worried about, but it is a genuine possibility and a lethal surprise that causes devastation. If not prepared, these deadly pathogens could easily kill a large number of people. With tensions on the rise, what will the government or citizens do to defend themselves? If something happens, how will Americans have the capabilities to care for themselves and families? Bioterrorism is a serious threat that Americans must eradicate to gain biosecurity and to ensure the safety America’s citizens. Biological terrorism, or bioterrorism,...
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...Research altering the structure of infective viruses poses a threat to man and should be banned. This threat is defined, as “Dual use”. Although, altering the structure of viruses does have beneficial purposes it is ultimately not worth the risk and outweighed by its dangers. Dual Use is beneficial in advancing science or improving public health but is often misused for malevolent ends such as bioterrorism. Bioterrorism is not a new threat, Pathogens and micro organisms have been used as weapons for hundreds of years, dating back to the fourteenth century when Tartars threw the corpses of plague victims over the city walls of Kaffa before its siege and in the eighteenth century when British soldiers distributed blankets used by smallpox victims to Native Americans with the objective of contaminating them (SERB). This history of vile behavior in regards to bioweapons has not seemed to stop as technology advanced, some would say it has even gotten worse. When discussing the issue of bioterrorism one must keep in mind that it doesn’t mean all dual use scientists are bioterrorist, legitimate scientists typically conduct a research that is in the dual use field for positive purposes. “Just because a research project may have dual use concerns, that doesn’t mean that it will be misused as a bioweapon or that the researchers conducting the research are bioweaponeers” (SERB). However as research continues and advances on dual use the greater we risk-assisting bioterrorist succeed...
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...Bioterrorism Countermeasures: Utilizing Intelligence Agencies over Biological Research ABSTRACT: The 21st century has seen a revolutionary biotechnology force, one that has led to developments in healthcare and other industries around the United States. Coupled with the growing development of biotechnology, however, is a force hoping to harness its power to create biological weapons. Presently, there are several nations pursuing biological weapons programs, making it easier for terrorist groups to gain access and attain advanced weaponry. Recently, terrorists have demonstrated their ability to execute acts of bio-terror without any moral repugnance or regret. Though these weapons have been taboo in past centuries, known for their sneakiness and deception, the use of biological weapons and the incidence of biological attack in the present century has –relatively speaking– dramatically increased. It is for this reason that congress and the federal government must intervene to prevent future bio-attack. The best method to stall further biological development within terrorist groups is by infiltration and detection via the Intelligence Community (IC). Unfortunately, we have diverted all our resources towards bio-terrorism research, without realizing that it is the further development and accessibility of biological weapons information that has promoted the spread of deadly knowledge within the terrorist community. Instead of trying to develop research plans for specific pathogenic...
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...A volatile nerve gas, sarin is one of the most toxic of the known chemical warfare agents (Bartlett & Greenberg, 2005). Incredibly deadly, there is only a minor difference between a mild and fatal dosage, which can lead to death in fifteen minutes. Unlike some gases, it is not only dangerous to the victim, but it can also pose a danger to first responders due to “off-gassing,” or when the victim spreads the toxin to others, within 30 minutes of exposure (Bartlett & Greenberg, 2005). Thankfully, sarin is not easily obtainable as it does not occur naturally and is only manufactured for military use; however, it has been used in terrorist attacks, most notably, the Tokyo subway attack in...
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...AMERICAN PULIC UNIVERSITY OSAMA BIN LADEN: FALL OF LEADERSHIP POST 9/11 MIND OF A TERRORIST BY TERI DANIELLE MOUNT SAN DIEGO, CA FEBRUARY 2014 OSAMA BIN LADEN: FALL OF LEADERSHIP POST 9/11 Under Osama bin Laden's leadership, al Qaeda has become the most dangerous terrorist organizaiton in the world, responsible for more than 10,000 deaths (Terrorism [2011], 1). As the leader of this organization, he was strategic, intelligent and knew how to attack his enemy both economically and culturally. He was a mastermind and was able to communicate and exert influence upon his followers, affiliates and to the entire world as we know it. He was also the mastermind behind the tragic act that took the lives of thousands in the United States terrorist attack known as 9/11. However, since the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, bin Laden's ability to communicate and influence others has changed drastically. As al-Qaeda's leader, bin Laden meticouslly planned 9/11 and wanted it to be the attack that caused the United States to “bleed-until-bankrupt” by creating a wars between Americans and the Muslim world (Gartenstein-Ross 2013, 1). As a leader, his strongest form of communication lied in his ability to take down his enemies from behind the scenes. After the attacks on 9/11, he repeatedly made it known that he was not responsible for the attacks. However, did the...
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...Anthrax: Bacillus Anthracis Outline I. Introduction II. Definitions and Symptoms A. Bacillus anthracis B. Zoonosis C. Transmission: spores 1. Three types of entry 2. Three main types of anthrax D. Classified as a biological weapon 1. Biosafety level three 2. Anthrax not contagious between humans E. Cutaneous anthrax Symptoms F. Inhalation anthrax. G. Gastrointestinal anthrax. II. Origins of the Disease A. Ancient Mesopotamia B. Mention in The Iliad III. Ancient Manifestations, Views, and Causes IV. Ancient Treatments of Disease Symptoms A. Figs B. Anthrax control 1. Burning in Ancient Athens 2. Burning in 1600s 3. Burning Laws in Late 1600s V. Social Effects on Victims and Socioeconomic Impact on Society A. 2001 U.S. Postal Service anthrax incident B. Projected economic impact of a bioterrorist attack VI. Epidemic Outbreaks A. 1500 B.C. -- Fifth Egyptian plague B. 1600s -- "Black Bane" C. 1770 -- Haiti D. 1978-80 Human anthrax epidemic in Zimbabwe VII. Modern Causes of the Disease VIII. Current Treatments A. Historical Development of Modern Treatment Methods 1. 1877 Robert Koch 2. 1881 Louis Pasteur 3. 1937 Max Sterne 4. 1944 First use of penicillin to treat anthrax 5. 1979 Modern vaccine developed B. Treatment of Today IX. Anthrax as a Biomedical Weapon A. Modern threat B. 1916-1918 Mesopotamia...
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...PART A 1. Incident Reporting: a. The types of incidents that should be reported would be larceny, damage to property, breaking/entering, suspicious person, trespass, disturbance, missing person, patient restraint, assault, domestic, visitor restriction, auto accident, personal injury, alarm activated/reset, maintenance, lost and found. There is also the issue of workplace violence, which has increased and has become a serious issue in health care. Our health care workers are at higher risk for experiencing violence than workers in any other industry. Workplace violence includes any incident at the workplace that results in physical or psychological injury to someone, damage to property, or loss of productivity (Sells, 2000, p. 338). b. The expectation for reporting incidents in the workplace is to make the management aware so that they can be committed to the safety of their employees and also to set expectations regarding what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. Also, as employees they must do their parts in properly reporting the violent incidents to management. The security team will provide the employee with the incident report form or reporting tool. This form can also be used by external sources such as, police if they need to do a follow on the situation. The documentation will provide factual detail of what happen if the person is prosecuted or for other legal reasons. Mandatory reporting is required by some facilities, and that include incidents...
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...disease outbreaks, which includes bioterrorism. The goal of the agency is to implement strategies to prevent diseases as well as maintain national health statistics. Another role of the CDC is to safeguard against international disease transmission, this is vital as the agency has personnel located several countries outside the United States. Looking at the agency’s core functions, examining influences in the workplace, and identifying roles of the agency personnel is vital to understanding the CDC’s contribution(Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], n.d.). Core functions The primary focus of the CDC has been geared toward the protection of health and the promotion of life. This is achieved through preventing and controlling of disease, injury, and forms of disability. This will be attained through collaborative efforts with partnerships in the United States as well as throughout the world. These efforts include monitoring health, detecting and investigating health issues, performing research to improve prevention, develop and promote policies, spearhead leadership and training, and foster safe and healthy environments(Fos& Fine, 2005). Support to the Public Health System The CDC is a sub-set of the Department of Health and Human Services and is the federal agency where public health initiatives are conducted and supported. The agency is constantly implementing safety measures to secure the United States of America from dangers stemming from within the United...
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...system can attain dazzling quality and productivity. Because of the competition, the nature of the health industries increments and expense falls therefore. The most vital and principal issue of US healthcare system is that the competition works at the wrong level. Competition ought to happen for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of individual health conditions. The principal of the matters of trade and profit of health care are works at the distinctive level of diseases or conditions. Because of the competition, the quality expands and expense diminishes altogether at the distinctive levels. General society and private sectors assumes a key part in advancing healthcare, as far as state and government financing, in a period of dangers from bioterrorism and sickness safe pathogens. States and central government shapes the healthcare system of U.S. from multiple points of view by affecting the key part like insurance coverage, nature of healthcare, data and the foundation. In U.S. healthcare is by and large given by the private organization and people and all parts of the healthcare system are liable to the some level of competition. There are various providers, suppliers payers and individuals with insurance can pick which one will serve their needs best. Both market based and government-financed healthcare system work for overseeing general expense of the social insurance. In U.S. because of the market based system, the healthcare organizations rival one another to bring the best...
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...Emergency preparedness is the ability of individuals, organizations, and communities to respond to public health emergencies, such as natural disasters, bad weather, bioterrorism, outbreak of diseases, accidents casualties, and chemical or radiation emergencies. The most indigenous role of the federal, state or local government is to protect and prevent citizens from injury or potential harm, which involves helping people to prepare and respond to emergency situation, including people with disabilities. To plan and respond to community emergency require involvement of everybody in the community, including people with disabilities in identifying needs in evaluating operational management. The issues identified with people of disabilities include notification, evacuation, transportation, sheltering, access to information, medication, refrigeration, backup power, and to mobility devices or service animals en route to shelter. Emergency preparedness is pertinent for every community because it could be a life-threatening situation. Summary of the event that took place at the Neighborhood community as read under the course materials section in the newspaper articles and scenarios in the Pearson Health Science Neighborhood in season two, episode five from University of Phoenix student website. The Neighborhood has a population of 64,200, localized close to a forest and beside the bank of a river. The community has been experiencing fire out-break for five days and had caused irreversible...
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...September 11, 2001. Today, one complex issue that has been around for a long time is terrorism. Modern terrorism has become a global issue that has hit our own country here in the United States. Terrorism defined as, is the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes or the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization. (Dictionary.com) Also, there could be sub categories that terrorism can fall under; political psychological coercive dynamic and deliberate. There are many types of terrorism that are seen throughout the world today. These examples are, but are not exclusive to the following; state terrorism, nuclear terrorism, narcoterrorism, ecoterrorism, cyberterrorism and bioterrorism. Also there are many different types of terrorist groups; National Liberation, Left Wing Revolutionary, Islamic and State Sponsors of Terrorism. Terrorism has become a part of everyday culture with bombings and assassinations throughout the world. It may seem like isolated attacks, but they show how society has...
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...are of concern to healthcare policymakers who need to make important policy agreements. According to Wolfe and Colditz, the direct healthcare costs attributable to obesity to be 5.7% of the total direct health care costs (Wolf AM, Colditz GA, 1998). Diabetes is by far the most expensive public health consequence of obesity (Wolf AM, Colditz GA, 1998). Most modernized countries use insulin to treat serious cases of diabetes. However, there are still some countries that can’t afford to obtain and use insulin therapy. In most cases untreated glucose levels advance to neuropathy or retinal problems. The direct costs of obesity are now estimated to be around 7% of total health care cost in the US (Colditz GA, 1999). Obesity is now known as a danger zone in the healthcare world. Discussion Obese patients add to the intricacy of medical issues physicians face, along with the fees affiliated to treat. According to the CDC, the yearly medical costs for people who are overweight are at least $1500 higher than people of regular weight. EHR can be a great tool for physicians to use to track patients who have weight issues. Medicare has complied to pay the cost of most preventative programs without co pays or deductible issues. Lifetime prescription expenses are higher for obese people than healthful people, although there is a shorter life expectancy for obese people. Studies show that positive lifestyle interventions may decrease the chances of disease, but also lower healthcare cost...
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...qualities and behaviours of a leader. It has also been described as a process with a shifting locus of control in which leaders are not seen as individuals in charge of followers but as members of a “community of practice” where everyone involved in the activity is assumed to play an active role in leadership. However, even with an advanced team, there is still a need for distinct leadership to enable the whole team to be optimally successful. 1-3 It would appear that there are a number of key traits that good leaders possess, however the literature provides little concrete agreement on a finite number of these: Kambil et al. (2009) found that leaders have five key traits: Curiosity; courage - in willingness to face uncertainty and perhaps danger; perseverance- the willingness to persevere to achieve, a trait found to often be innate from childhood; confidence and ethical responsibility. Ethical responsibility refers not only to the leader adopting and demonstrating organisational ethical responsibilities but also personal ethical responsibility; being willing to take a clear stand when the code of ethics is...
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...The Philadelphia Water Department, Baxter Water Treatment Plant Anthony Vega, Denise Youmans, Christopher Williams, Stephen Glenn, Darnell Jessie Immaculata University EPM 301 Report Summary The purpose of this assessment is designed to look at the hazard vulnerability and exploitation potential surrounding The Philadelphia Water Department, Baxter Water Treatment Plant located at 9001 State Road in Philadelphia, Pa. The treatment plant must be prepared for every emergency when considering the safety of the community. This assessment is a detailed analysis of the possible catastrophic events that could occur in or near the water treatment plant and an inquisition into the possible contingency plans in the event that a catastrophe occurs. This assessment is designed to identify and assess hazards to which the Baxter Treatment Plant is ill-prepared to respond and strengthen these weak areas. Methods We, as a group, conducted site visits and surveys of the property. A point of contact was established within the Philadelphia Water Department, but the Water Department policies dictate that written approval for a site visit must be approved by higher level management. These policies and the limited amount of time in the accelerated semester did not allow us to complete an internal site visit. As a contingency, we evaluated the site from the exterior. Physical surveillance was conducted allowing us to observe the visible security of the premises. The building is surrounded...
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...ITT-Technical institute | Capstone Project | Department of Homeland Security | | Rudy Olave (12341891) | 10/19/2012 | Table of Contents Introduction --------------------------------------------------------- Page 3 Background of the topic and linked topic--------------------Page 5 Research Question--------------------------------------------------Page 9 Results----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 13 Conclusion------------------------------------------------------------Page 16 References------------------------------------------------------------Page 19 | Rough Draft Introduction- The reason that I chose this topic in homeland security is for the fact that I believe has an essential meaning and importance to all of us living in the United States. The department of homeland security has the duty of protect our home land from anything and anyone. This might include terrorist attacks and such. Many of us don’t even know what the purpose of the Department of Homeland Security is for, or what does it do and what does it protect. My priority is to leave that very clear to everyone and why will we always need this department in place no matter the ups and downs of our economy. It is very essential to have such department in place for the fact that we need to protect our land from any illegal activity or an attack to our people, we can’t afford another attack like the 9/11 one. A country with the guidelines and boundaries...
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