MILITARY PHARMACY AND MEDICINE

© Military Pharmacy and Medicine • 2012 • 4 • 122 – 122later traveled to the USA, revealed that he hadconducted research on microorganisms designedto confuse victim’s immunological system andlead to central nervous system auto-destruction.He took advantage of the mechanism of multiplesclerosis development, which is one of the mostdangerous disorders of central nervous system.It is an autoimmunological disease. Instead ofdestroying only foreign pathogens, immunologicalsystem causes destruction of myelin, whichis an important component of nervous sheathsfacilitating proper functioning of nerves.Is it likely that terrorists could blackmail theworld with such pathogens? Experts from “BritishMedical Journal” persuade that biologicalweapons, similar to chemical weapons, are primarilyinstruments of inducing fear.A new stage of bioterrorism expansion was initiatedat the end of September 2001. Terrorists beganto distribute anthrax bacilli in the USA (Florida,New Jersey) via mail. On the 12th of October,anthrax struck New York. Attacks were directedat people representing the media (employees ofNCB, AMI, “The Sun,” “New York Times”) andthe government (offices of United States senators).Thirty-six anthrax infections, including one fatalcase, were noted until the 23rd of October 2001.Despite difficulties associated with use of biologicalweapons as weapons of mass destruction,it evoked panic among American community aswell as in Europe. United States government evenconsidered early weaving of patent rights of BayerCo. – the only producer of ciprofloxacin, an antibioticeffective against anthrax.Not even the most absurd threat should beignored nowadays. Bioterrorism grows. TheReview articlereasons should be traced to the fact that biologicalweapons are easy to apply and transport.Their low cost can also be encouraging, as mentionedby professor Wieslaw Magdzik from theNational Institute of Hygiene in Warsaw, whowarned against it as far back as may 2001.Experiences from previous terrorist attacksnoted by the Monterey Institute of InternationalStudies show that incompetent authorities, disorganizationof rescue services, panic and poorlevel of social education are greatest allies of theattackers. To some degree, it is the price we payfor contemporary civilization. In case of ecologicaldisaster, we usually know what substances weare dealing with.A terrorist attack involves a series of unknowns.Rapid identification of the resources used by theaggressor is crucial to achieving success. Currently,hospitals introduce an electronic diseaseregistration system equipped with special software.Its job is to identify anomalies (e.g. excessivenumber of infections with particular bacteriaor viruses in a given time). A single case ofanthrax infection might not arise the vigilance ofhospital staff. However, if it appears that similarinformation flows from several hospitals, the systemwill alert the crisis management center.Words suggesting the use of various bacteria,often implying alleged possession, are most dangerousin the context of this atmosphere. Liketoxins, they invade the sense of security in alldimensions. Terrorists’ goals are often directednot so much at large numbers of casualties, but atgaining publicity and transmitting their messagethrough the media, which may bring fatal consequencesin an era of information society.References:1. B. Balcerowicz, Obronność RP a dialektyka wojnyi pokoju na progu XXI wieku, cz.I, AON,Warszawa, 2000.2. Mały oxfordzki słownik historii świata w XXw.,Puls, Londyn 1992; Raport (No 2000/02. Chemical,Biologica], Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN)Terrorism, publikacja: Comadian Security IntelligenceService (dost. on-line: www.fas.org).3. Strach przed bioterroryzmem, "Newsweek Polska",nr 7, s. 151-154.4. Z. Henisz, Biobomby, „Polityka", nr 46 z 17 listopada2001, s. 85.5. TERRORYZM – ZAGROŻENIE GLOBALNE ILOKALNE, Biuro Bezpieczeństwa Narodowego,www.bbn.gov.pl.122 http://military.isl-journals.com