No blueprint for new war

Recent cases of anthrax-contaminated letters have led many Americans to question their safety. They have also led to questions about bioterrorism. \nIn response to local concerns, the first installment of a lecture series addressing issues raised by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks was held Thursday night in Swain Hall West. \nPanelists at the lecture -- which addressed the threat of bioterrorism -- included Michael McGinnis, director of graduate studies in political science, George D. Hegeman, professor of microbiology and Nick Cullather, associate history professor. \n"I was asked by the chair of the department who was the person in our department who was an expert in the history of bioterrorism," Cullather said. "We have no such expert ... it has no history ... There have been few instances of germ warfare actually used," Cullather said. "Not because of lack of scruples or will but lack of effectiveness."\nCullather said most countries condemn the use of biological warfare, and the Quran, Islam's Holy Scripture, explicitly prohibits it, but terrorists do not adhere to these principles. \nA cult in Japan once sprayed clouds of anthrax around neighborhoods in Tokyo. But people in the area only called police to complain about a bad smell in the air. The attack failed because anthrax spores are killed by sunlight or direct contact with ultraviolet light.\nGerm warfare is largely unsuccessful because of the strength of people's immune systems, Hegeman said. He advised people to wash their hands periodically and not to put strange objects in their mouth.\n"We come in contact with bacteria today that would have wiped out medieval populations," he said. "Today we take shots to avoid the the flu, which would cause us a week of discomfort, which is very similar to the flu virus that caused the flu pandemic in 1918."\nAnthrax is also a commonly found bacteria, Hegeman said. Usually, wherever there are cattle there are anthrax bacteria. Deer and wildlife are also potential carriers. Hegeman gave an example of a Texas man who died last week after skinning a buffalo killed in the road because he contracted cutaneous anthrax.\nHegeman said people need to put things in perspective. \n"We're terrorizing ourselves because we don't educate ourselves about the details," he said. "Therefore, terrorists will use it because they're seeking the notoriety."\nMcGinnis said the anthrax letters are an effective weapon. \n"They accomplished with a few grams of purified anthrax the exact kind of weapon they want," he said. "There has been speculation as to if the terrorists would attack the powergrids, but they have made people afraid to even open their mail."\nHe said it was possible a Unabomber-like terrorist was responsible for the anthrax letters and it would be difficult to catch someone like this. \nThe speakers said the lecture series provides a valuable resource for the community.\n"The series allows us to put aside our expertise as teachers and talk to one another as citizens," Cullather said. \nPeople should avoid reactions that conflict with American culture, but some reasonable changes like vaccinating postal workers, police and emergency workers is wise, he said.\n"I think it's wrong to say to change our ways would mean the terrorists have won, " Cullather said. "In any war victory goes to those who adapt."\nThe lecture series was started by Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm and is co-sponsored by Union Board.\n"She wanted to create a committee to respond to whatever situations that came up so we can have information available to the campus in a timely way," said Moya Andrews, dean of faculties.