Recorded presentation

Robert Gould, MD, Physicians For Social Responsibility, 311 Douglass, San Francisco, CA 94114, 408-972-7299, rmgould1@yahoo.com

The speaker will discuss public health and other societal implications posed by the U.S. government's initiatives to combat bioterrorism. Among points to be covered will be a review of efficacy and safety issues related to vaccination programs against smallpox and anthrax. Plans for involving the public health community in the campaign against bioterrorism will be explored, including issues relating to: an objective characterization of the bioterrorist threat; alternatives for threat reduction and population protection; differentiation between "defensive" and "offensive" biowar capabilities; as well as the implications of the potential militarization of public health, including effects on civil liberties. Also covered will be issues relating to the responsibility of medical and public health professionals to grapple with ethical concerns involved with the use of biotechnology for military purposes.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, attendees will be able

• To describe medical and public health issues related to proliferation of weapons of biological weapons and related weapons of mass destruction.
• To describe medical and public health issues related to mass-vaccination and emergency-response programs against anthrax and other organisms considered to be possible agents of bioterrorism.
• To describe what alternative actions can be taken to help reduce the medical and other public health consequences to bioterrorism.

Keywords: Bioterrorism, Public Health Infrastructure

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation