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Chapter 12: Problem 52

Which of the following is not used as a bioweapon? (a) Bacillus anthracis (b) Botulinum toxin (c) Bacillus thuringiensis (d) Small pox

Short Answer

Expert verified
The biological agent not used as a bioweapon is Bacillus thuringiensis.

Step by step solution

01

Identify Biological agents

There are four biological agents mentioned: Bacillus anthracis, Botulinum toxin, Bacillus thuringiensis, and Small pox.
02

Determine if Bacillus anthracis is a bioweapon

Bacillus anthracis is the pathogen that causes anthrax which is recognized as a potential agent for use in biological warfare.
03

Determine if Botulinum toxin is a bioweapon

Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is one of the most poisonous substances known and is also a potential biological weapon.
04

Determine if Small pox is a bioweapon

Small pox is a highly contagious and deadly disease. It was declared eradicated in 1980; however, stocks of the virus are kept for research purposes and it could potentially be used as a biological weapon.
05

Determine if Bacillus thuringiensis is a bioweapon

Bacillus thuringiensis is a bacterium used as a biological pesticide. It is not typically used as a bioweapon.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Bacillus anthracis
Bacillus anthracis is the bacterium responsible for anthrax, a serious infectious disease. When used as a bioweapon, it is often deployed in spore form because spores are highly resilient and can be easily disseminated. Anthrax primarily affects herbivorous animals, but can also infect humans through:
  • Open wounds (cutaneous anthrax)
  • Inhalation
  • Digestive system (gastrointestinal anthrax)
Symptoms can range from flu-like symptoms to severe respiratory distress and even death if untreated. Its potential as a bioweapon is due to its ability to be mass-produced and released as a fine powder, making it easy to spread over wide areas. This pathogen is listed by several governments as a top bioterrorism threat.
Botulinum toxin
Botulinum toxin, produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, is one of the deadliest toxins known.
  • It acts on the nervous system.
  • Blocks nerve function.
  • Leads to muscle paralysis.
A small amount can cause a large number of casualties. Its lethality and the ease of producing it make it a potential bioweapon. There's a medical use of botulinum toxin - in small doses, it's used to treat muscle spasms and as a cosmetic treatment (known commercially as Botox). However, its potential as a weapon is due to its extreme potency and ability to be dispersed through food, water, or as an aerosol.
Bacillus thuringiensis
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a soil-dwelling bacterium commonly used in agriculture as a biological pesticide.
  • This bacterium produces proteins toxic to certain insect pests like caterpillars and larvae.
  • It is often used in genetically modified crops to impart pest resistance.
Unlike Bacillus anthracis, Bt is not used as a bioweapon. Its main function is to control agricultural pests and it is considered environmentally friendly. Bt has no known adverse effects on humans or non-target species, which is why it is a preferred alternative to chemical pesticides.
Smallpox
Smallpox was a devastating infectious disease caused by the variola virus.
  • It was eradicated in 1980 following a global vaccination campaign.
  • The disease was highly contagious and carried a high mortality rate.
Despite its eradication, smallpox's potential use as a bioweapon remains a concern. This is because it was historically used as a biological weapon and stocks of the virus were retained by some countries post-eradication. In a world without natural immunity to smallpox, an outbreak could have catastrophic effects. Global health systems prepare for such a scenario by maintaining stockpiles of vaccines and having emergency response strategies in place.

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