The Iowa Stater
February 2002
BATTLING BIOTERRORISM IN OUR FOOD SYSTEM
Since the Sept. 11 tragedy and the subsequent anthrax scares, the
possibility that the U.S. food
supply could be a terrorism target seems plausible.Iowa State is providing leadership on a study of the nation's ability to deal with bioterrorism threats to the food system. The National Research Council's Committee on Biological Threats to Agricultural Plants and Animals is assessing our ability to prevent the deliberate release of diseases that could cripple food production. Chairing the committee is Harley Moon, professor of veterinary pathology and of veterinary microbiology and preventative medicine.
"The past few months, as well as the outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe last year, have raised awareness of our vulnerability to agricultural bioterrorism," Moon said. "Our study should be useful for improving our preparedness against intentional threats, as well as natural disease outbreaks."
Many in the agriculture and food industries have shared concerns with the committee, whose members include ISU economist Helen Jensen and Nobel Prize winner Joshua Lederberg. The group's final report is due out in June.