title: Bioterrorism and biodefence research: changing the focus of microbiology.
abstract: Fear that terrorists can use biological agents as weapons of mass destruction is significantly impacting the conduct of microbiological research. Abundant new funds are available for biodefence research, and many researchers are racing to enter the field. There are some concerns, however, that a large emphasis on this issue could skew the microbiology research agenda. Furthermore, new responsibilities for safely conducting research with biothreat agents and concern that information might be misused could drive some researchers away from the field.
authors.affiliation: Center for the Deterrence of Biowarfare and Bioterrorism, University of Louisville, Graduate School, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA. r.atlas@louisville.edu
authors.forename: Ronald M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Atlas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D001709:Biotechnology; D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008829:Microbiology / Q000145:classification / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends*; D012107:Research Design / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D012899:Smallpox / Q000517:prevention & control; D012900:Smallpox Vaccine / Q000592:standards; D012958:Societies, Scientific; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D012900:Smallpox Vaccine