Bio-terror or biosafety?

Recently, most of the infectious agents reported by several literatures to be used potentially as biological weapons are the zoonotic disease agents, with which veterinarians struggle most. Amongst these, especially, anthrax, human plague and avian influenza (H5N1) agents have a different significance since they could easily be gained from nature.  In recent years, the argument of emerging Avian Influenza outbreaks and Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever cases could be due to a biological attack in media and in scientific society in Turkey.  International agreements, such as Biological Warfare Convention where the Turkey participates in, some precautions are foreseen. Improvement of biosafety precautions on laboratory basis, educational programs, increment of public awareness, and establishing ethical and legal aspects should constitute the prior actions against pathogens and toxins in national, regional and international field.  Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) created by modern biotechnological methods reinforce these precautions. Legal arrangements would provide the organization and the control of the studies discussed above. Cartegena Biosecurity Protocol signed by Turkey like in other countries, would lead in the development of national legal protocols concerning biosecurity in Turkey. This and likewise protocol studies include public awareness as well as public education. Nowadays, educational workshops and practices are being developed by several formal and civilian associations.  Improvement of laboratory capacities for rapid and early detection of the pathogens and toxins those could be used in biological attacks is an important and basic topic. Establishment of laboratories of biosafety level 3 and level 4 are required, particularly.