From: Robert J. Bradbury (bradbury@aeiveos.com)
Date: Mon Aug 19 2002 - 07:24:14 MDT
On Sun, 18 Aug 2002, Brian Atkins wrote:
> Ok, so while the multi-layer defense sounds wonderful, what exactly
> does it consist of in, say, the suitcase nuke and designer biowarfare
> cases such that the risk is reduced to near zero?
Well in biowarfare it is everything from vaccinations, to pre-designed
anti-toxins to known toxins, to isolation and travel restrictions,
to the procedure I outlined for a rapid response capability.
For nuclear weapons, its iodine tablets, shelters, all the stuff
they put us through in the '50s, FEMA response crews, etc.
One novel idea I've been thinking about lately is stem cell stockpiles.
There are one or more companies working in this area, usually currently
on fetal cord blood storage. But I think there should be a huge push
to get people to stockpile their own blood, and eventually stem cells
isolated from that blood. What you want is a stockpile of amplified
stem cells that you can use to repopulate your body after radiation
exposure. One of the major causes of death from radiation poisoning
is the shutdown of your rapidly dividing cells (e.g. bone marrow
and intestinal crypt cells). If you could compensate for those
two problems I think you could reduce the death count significantly.
Unfortunately to reduce the death count from burns and crush injuries
you will need a vasculoid system installed.
> At this point the various governments and corporations still haven't
> figured out how to perfect a multilayered defense against 40 year old
> offensive weapons (jet passenger planes), what makes you sure they will
> suddenly move ahead of the curve when it comes to the more dangerous
> technologies of the near future? I think this is perhaps the more
> important question to answer rather than the actual defensive techniques.
As Harvey points out, the security we had in place did work.
As the Atlantic article Anders points out (*very* good pointer Anders!)
having things like security guards on the planes, strengthend cockpit
doors, baggage area decompression of the luggage, planes forced by
software to land themselves, pilots requesting that the passengers
take out any hijackers, etc. form a multi-layer defense.
We didn't have all of those before 9/11. We have some more now
and I think will get more in the future as we apply ourselves
more to the problem.
> Bradbury has a proposed technique, and even if it is actually feasible
> will it actually be setup and in place any time soon?
I'm working on my piece of the puzzle. At some point I'll be
forwarding my ideas along to the CDC, FEMA and other responsible
organizations. I may also try to give a presentation at something
like the BIO conference within the next few years.
Robert
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