From Colin MacLeod
It seems likely that the anthrax used in the recent attacks in the US originated from stocks held by the US government, and quite possibly from someone working within a US government programme (9 February, p 8). This is very damaging to the US’s argument for keeping stocks of such potential weapons. The justification has always been the need to develop means of fighting possible attacks. However, it is now clear they can also be the source of the attacks themselves.
Thankfully, whoever was behind this seems to have had access only to anthrax, and not to another agent such as smallpox. It is now time to think again about destroying all remaining stocks of smallpox and other potent biological weapons before they too are turned against their supposed masters.
Anthrax and several other organisms that could be used as weapons are widely available in the wild, unlike smallpox. However, the “weaponised” forms exist only in labs … we hope—Ed
Aberdeen
