Genomics and future biological weapons: The need for preventive action by the biomedical community

There is an increasing concern within both the scientific and security comm unities that the ongoing revolution in biology has great potential to be mi sused in offensive biological weapons programs. In light of the 11 Septembe r tragedy, we can no longer afford to be complacent about the possibility o f biological terrorism. Here we review the major relevant trends in genomic s research and development, and discuss how these capabilities might be mis used in the design of new bioweapons. We also discuss how the breakthroughs that have come from the genomics revolution may be used to enhance detecti on, protection and treatment so that biological warfare agents are never us ed.