HARVARD COURSE TEACHES FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOLOGICAL ATTACK PREPARATIONS

By Pamela Berkowsky

Introduction

Pamela Berkowsky, who holds a Master’s degree in law and diplomacy with a concentration in national security studies, served as Assistant Chief of Staff to William S. Cohen throughout his tenure as Secretary of Defense in the Clinton Administration. She later served as Chief of Staff to the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition to her extensive public sector experience, Pamela Berkowsky has also been regarded as an expert on preparing for potential biological weapon attacks and has taught university-level seminars and testified before the U.S. Senate on the subject.

About “Biological Weapons: Limiting the Threat”

Pam Berkowsky and Richard Danzig co-authored a chapter in the book, Biological Weapons: Limiting the Threat. The chapter is entitled “Why Should We Be Concerned about Biological Warfare,” and demonstrates how the relative ease in obtaining potent biological weapons, as well as the difficulty in detecting them, makes them a serious threat to national security.

Conclusion

The book, published in 1999, brings together a collection of essays edited by Nobel Laureate, Dr. Joshua Lederberg. In addition to describing the threat of biological weapons, the book covers historical attempts to use and control them, and the U.S. policies designed to mitigate the threat of a biological attack.