Giving Full Measure to Countermeasures

In recent years, substantial efforts have been initiated to develop new drugs, vaccines,and other medical interventions against biological agents that could be usedin bioterrorist attacks against civilian populations. According to a new congressionallymandated report from the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council ofthe National Academies, to successfully develop these drugs, vaccines, and othermedical interventions against biowarfare agents, Congress should authorize the creationof a new agency within the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department ofDefense. The committee recommended that Congress should improve liability protectionsfor those who develop and manufacture these products, to stimulate willingnessto invest in new research and development for biowarfare protection. GivingFull Measure to Countermeasures also identifies other challenges—such as the needfor appropriate animal models and laboratories equipped with high-level biosafetyprotections—that will require attention if DoD efforts to develop new medical countermeasuresare to be successful.