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Plant Pathologists Look To Forensics To Aid In Biosecurity
St Paul MN (SPX) Jul 08, 2004 In an effort to protect the nation's crops from possible bioterrorism, plant pathologists are exploring how to apply techniques typically used in crime labs as a tool to fight bioterrorism. According to Jacqueline Fletcher, plant pathology professor, Oklahoma State University, the potential for microbes to be used with an intent to harm people, societies, or the environment has generated renewed interest in the application of forensic science to assist in precise identification of microbes and their origin. "If a plant disease agent were used for bioterrorism, we would like to trace it to its source. This could help us prevent it from happening again," said Fletcher. The usual goal of a plant pathologist, which is to effectively manage a disease outbreak, requires identification of a disease agent (pathogen) that is accurate to species or strain. Species-level identification is important in order to understand the disease's epidemiology. Forensic applications, however, require an even higher level of detail and discrimination. "If the goal is to attribute the crime to a specific perpetrator, data must be sufficiently specific to stand up in a court of law," said Fletcher. New research is needed to expand knowledge on the genetics, evolution, biology, and host reactions of key microbes. "Guidelines for sample collection and attention to non-pathogen contaminants, such as spores or other microorganisms in the samples, are necessary. Research guidelines and policies also ought to be designed to allow legitimate investigators to pursue research without unnecessary intrusion," Fletcher said. More on how forensics can be applied to plant health and crop security will be presented during the Microbial Forensics: Plant Pathogen Models symposium at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., July 31 - August 4, 2004. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Oklahoma State University SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express The Long War - Doctrine and Application
SAIC to Provide Bio-Surveillance Software, Data Analysis for Centers for Disease Control
Atlanta GA (SPX) Dec 09, 2005Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) announced Thursday it was awarded two contracts in support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Public Health Informatics' BioSense program. |
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