Universal Detection Technology (fka UNDT)

[Ca/apul/]

Research Shows Difficulties in Tracking Bioweapons
Thursday September 27, 7:01 am ET


LOS ANGELES, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Sep 27, 2007 -- Universal Detection Technology (http://www.udetection.com) (OTC BB:UDTT.OB - News).
ADVERTISEMENT


As quoted today in the Associated Press, one of the major challenges of the US defense forces is tracking scientists moving from country to country to share their expertise in building biological weapons.

According to the same article, unlike nuclear weapons or missiles, biological weapons can be manufactured in relatively nondescript facilities that are hard to detect. That makes tracking the people with the know-how to build the weapons themselves even more critical, said Vice Adm. Robert Murrett, director of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency. The agency analyzes imagery intelligence that comes from aircraft and satellites.

Biological weapons use viruses, bacteria or toxins rather than explosives to target people, animals or agriculture. They can be loaded onto a traditional warhead or dispersed by less sophisticated methods, like the letters containing deadly anthrax spores mailed to Congress and media outlets in 2001.

Because they are easier to hide than nuclear weapons or missiles, biological weapons are best tracked by monitoring those with expertise to make them -- a formidable challenge in itself, Murrett said.

"The kind of challenge we have for proliferation which I think is tougher is, for example, the transfer of individual scientists from country A to country B," he said at a breakfast with defense reporters. Tracking individuals trying to spread biological weapons know-how is beyond the capabilities of his agency alone, Murrett said. It requires multiple intelligence agencies to combine their intercepts, data bases and analyses. "That's probably working as well today as maybe it ever has," he said.

"In addition to the critical intelligence required to defuse attacks with biological weapons, monitoring of air for early detection of such bio-warfare agents is an effective tool in taking action before occurrence of mass casualties," said Jacques Tizabi, UDTT's Chief Executive Officer. "The threat of bioterrorism is here to stay and at UDTT, we strive to supply solutions and technologies that can save the public from such threats," he added.

For more information please visit http://www.udetection.com or