Biosecurity and Bioterrorism -- New Journal Provides Powerful Platform for Discussion of Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science.

Health/Medical Writers

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LARCHMONT, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 2003

The first issue of Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science, an innovative peer-reviewed journal, was published today by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (www.liebertpub.com).

This new journal is published in print and online and provides a powerful forum for the ideas, analyses, research, and reviews influential in the maturation of biodefense strategy, science, and practice. The debut issue is available free online at www.liebertpub.com/bsp.

"Rigorous multidisciplinary analysis and vigorous exchange of perspectives are essential to the formulation of successful strategies for lessening the threat posed by biological weapons," say the Journal's Coeditors Tara O'Toole, MD, MPH, and Thomas V. Inglesby, MD, Director and Deputy Director, respectively, of the Johns Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense Strategies.

With its highly esteemed, multidisciplinary editorial board, Biosecurity and Bioterrorism encourages an array of professional communities of thinkers and practitioners to utilize the journal "to exchange ideas about how to prevent bioweapons development and how best to mitigate the consequences of bioterrorist attacks." Featured in the introductory issue:

-- Madeline Drexler's Interview with CDC Director, Julie Gerberding, MD, MPH, which explores the readiness of the public health community to cope with a bioterrorist threat

-- "Biosecurity: Responsible Stewardship of Bioscience in an Age of Catastrophic Terrorism," an original paper by Gigi Kwik, Joe Fitzgerald, Thomas Inglesby, and Tara O'Toole

-- "Iraq's Bio-Warfare Option: Last Resort, Preemption, or a Blackmail Weapon?," an analysis of the potential strategic role of bioweapons for the Iraqi government, by Avigdor Haselkorn

-- "Potential for Aerosol Dissemination of Biological Weapons: Lessons from Biological Control of Insects," authored by David Levin and Giovana Valadares de Amorin

-- "Under Siege: One State's Perspective of the Anthrax Events of October/November 2001," by Julie Casani, Diane L. Matuszak, and Georges C. Benjamin

-- "Ethical Considerations in the Formation of Smallpox Vaccine Policy," coauthored by Holly Taylor and Ruth Faden

-- "Key Information Regarding Smallpox Vaccine," compiled by Michael Mair and Luciana Borio

The intended audience for BIOSECURITY AND BIOTERRORISM includes individuals with strategic, management, scientific, or operational responsibilities in fields that have a bearing on bioterrorism issues. These include professional fields such as medicine, public health, law, national security, bioscientific research, agriculture and food safety, drug and vaccine development, the media, and local government. The journal will be published quarterly.

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., is a privately held, fully-integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in cutting edge areas of biomedical research and medicine. A complete list of the firm's 60 journals, books, and newsletters is available at www.liebertpub.com.