The Department of Defense and other agencies routinely hold training sessions throughout the country as part of a domestic bioterrorism preparedness program. Block argues that the United States and other developed countries should be doing more to prevent the spread of biological weaponry. He saves his harshest criticism for his fellow biologists, most of whom have remained silent on the issue. The agent of choice for most biological warfare programs, writes Block, is anthrax. Anthrax spores are easy to produce and can remain viable for more than 100 years if kept dry and out of direct sunlight.
Anthrax also is relatively easy and safe to handle.
Moreover, a well-established vaccine exists that can prevent the onset of the disease, allowing it to be used safely by the aggressor. Block points out that genetic maps of deadly viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms already are widely available in the public domain. Any scientist bent on destruction could use this information to attempt to clone extremely virulent strains of bacteria and viruses, Block contends. I that finally led to a 1925 treaty banning bioweapons during future wars. During World War II, the Japanese military killed thousands of Chinese prisoners by subjecting them to experimental doses of anthrax, cholera, plague and other pathogens.