Bioterrorism: Threat of Massive Global Destruction/R. C Mishra. Delhi, Authors Press, 2002, viii, 327 p., tables, $39. ISBN 81-7273-107-8.

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Historical background of biological warfare. 3. Nature of bioweapons. 4. Cutaneous manifestations. 5. Understanding the massive global destruction. 6. Impact of bioterrorist attacks. 7. Social and psychological consequences. 8. Biological weapons control: implications for the future. 9. Combating biological terrorism. 10. Biological terrorism: future concerns. Appendices: 1. Convention on the prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of bacteriological (biological) and Toxin weapons and on their destruction. 2. Draft final declaration (December 7, 2001). 3. Fourth Review Conference of the parties to the convention on the prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of bacteriological (biological) and Toxin weapons and on their destruction (Geneva, 25 November 6- December 1996). Bibliography. Index.

"We are living in the age of the Big Biology. Biological sciences such as genetic engineering, molecular biology, genomics, etc., promise to resolve problems that plagued humankind for centuries, from the provision of enough food to the treatment of fatal diseases. But the achievements of biology can be used to protect life or to create new dangerous substances that can be used as biological weapons. Terrorists could cause unprecedented devastation by unleashing biological warfare agents.

"The potential of biological weapons to cause death and suffering is similar to that of nuclear weapons. A bio-weapons attack could, like nuclear attack, push a nation beyond the "point of non-recovery". Reaction to a bio-weapons attack could conceivably generate sufficient fear and urgency to threaten fundamental democratic principles and even confidence in government. The threats posed by biological weapons are likely to continue into the future. We need a system of global protection. We should launch programmes of fundamental and applied research.

"This book is a comprehensive attempt to provide authoritative information on bioterrorism, the threat of massive global destruction, the contemporary world faces. It provides an indepth understanding of biological weapons, its past, present and future directions. It also deals with practical, scientific, precautionary methods to confront the escalated threat of bioterrorism. The book will be a highly beneficial reference tool for all those concerned to live together." (jacket)

Return to Terrorism Catalogue