What is bioterrorism?

What is bioterrorism? Give one example of bioterrorism in the USA and two examples in other countries.
Is COVID-19 an act of bioterrorism? Watch the video clips and utilize factual evidence from these clips to strengthen your points.

ANSWER
**Bioterrorism** refers to the deliberate use of biological agents, such as bacteria, viruses, toxins, or fungi, to cause harm or instill fear in populations. These biological agents can be weaponized to infect, injure, or kill people, livestock, or crops. Bioterrorism is a form of terrorism that exploits the potential lethality of biological agents.

**Example of Bioterrorism in the USA:**
An example of bioterrorism in the USA is the 2001 anthrax attacks. In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, envelopes containing anthrax spores were mailed to several individuals and media outlets. The anthrax attacks resulted in five deaths, several illnesses, and widespread panic. The perpetrator was eventually identified as a microbiologist, Bruce Ivins, who had access to anthrax spores and used them for malicious purposes.

**Examples of Bioterrorism in Other Countries:**
1. **Aum Shinrikyo in Japan:** The Aum Shinrikyo cult, led by Shoko Asahara, carried out a series of attacks in the 1990s using biological and chemical agents. Notably, they released sarin gas in the Tokyo subway system in 1995, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries.

2. **Sverdlovsk Anthrax Leak in the Soviet Union (Now Russia):** In 1979, a bioweapons facility in Sverdlovsk accidentally released anthrax spores into the atmosphere. The incident resulted in at least 66 fatalities and raised concerns about the Soviet Union’s secret bioweapons program.

**COVID-19 as Bioterrorism:**
COVID-19 is not considered an act of bioterrorism. It is widely believed to have originated from a zoonotic transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, meaning it was transmitted from animals to humans. The available scientific evidence suggests that the virus likely emerged naturally from a wet market in Wuhan, China. Numerous studies and investigations, including those conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), support the zoonotic origin theory.

While some conspiracy theories and disinformation campaigns have suggested that COVID-19 was intentionally released as an act of bioterrorism, there is no credible scientific evidence to support such claims. Multiple experts and organizations have debunked these theories and emphasize the importance of relying on credible sources and scientific research to understand the origin and spread of the virus.

In summary, bioterrorism involves the intentional use of biological agents to cause harm or fear. COVID-19 is not an act of bioterrorism but is believed to have emerged naturally from an animal source. The examples of bioterrorism in the USA and other countries highlight past incidents involving the deliberate use of biological agents for malicious purposes.