September 6, 2002

A Scientist Explores the Threats Posed by Bioterrorism

By LILA GUTERMAN

In an article on biological warfare in the January 2001 issue of American Scientist, Steven M. Block wrote: "If anthrax were released haphazardly in a major U.S. city and produced only a handful of cases, the public fear and disruption that would ensue might alone bring about the intended effect. ... In my opinion, the terrorist threat is very real, and it's about to get worse." In September 2001, he was mobbed by reporters. Mr. Block, a professor of biological sciences and applied physics at

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