Tara O’Toole and Donald A. Henderson

In the following viewpoint, biological weapons experts Tara O’Toole and Donald A. Henderson assess the threat of bioterrorism. They contend that rogue nations or terrorist groups could use biological weapons to kill thousands or millions of people, making such weapons as potentially devastating as nuclear bombs. Unfortunately, the authors argue, the United States is at present ill-equipped to deal with a biological attack. The United States should strengthen controls on biological weapons research while preparing for a possible biological attack, they conclude. O’Toole directs the Center for Civilian Biodefense Strategies at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. Henderson, a founder of the center and former dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, has served as a senior science adviser to...