On Thursday, February 26, at 10:30 a.m. ET, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council will host its latest meeting, mapping the threat picture of biological toxins and its implications for future biological attacks.
Easy availability and control of ricin, botulinum, and other toxins make them attractive weapons for use by US adversaries. This meeting of the Commission will discuss the historical and evolving threat of biological toxins and the unique scientific challenges inherent in detecting, characterizing, and attributing toxin attacks. The discussions will also touch upon the vulnerability of food and agricultural systems to toxin threats and the measures required to secure the supply chain from intentional adulteration.
New policy: In-person attendees will be required to show photo ID upon arrival. We highly encourage pre-registration by 5:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 25.
Please complete the form below to register for this event.
Speakers
Agenda
10:30–10:40 a.m. | Welcome and opening remarks
Tom Daschle
Commissioner
Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council
Tom Ridge
Co-Chair
Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council
10:40 a.m.–11:55 a.m. | Panel one: Nature to nefarious
Experts and a law enforcement official will discuss the spectrum of toxin threats, including foodborne exposure, state-sponsored assassination, terrorism, synthetic production, and warfare.
Speakers
Fanny Ewann
Specialized Officer, Bioterrorism Prevention Unit, CBRNE & Vulnerable Target Sub-Directorate, INTERPOL
Gregory Koblentz
Director, Biodefense Graduate Program, George Mason University
James Giordano
Director, Center for Disruptive Technologies and Future Warfare, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University
11:55 a.m.–12:40 p.m. | Lunch
Join us for our lunch break.
12:40–1:55 p.m. | Panel two: Shadows in twilight
Scientific experts will address the technical challenges associated with detecting toxins in the field, clinical diagnosis of toxin exposure, and the forensic characterization of biological agents.
Speakers
Ziad Kazzi
President, American College of Medical Toxicology
Kelly Johnson-Arbor
Co-Medical Director, National Capital Poison Center; Medical Toxicologist, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
Marc-Michael Blum
Former Head of Laboratory, Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
1:55–2:05 p.m. | Break
Break in programming.
2:05–3:20 p.m. | Panel three: Feast or famine
Industry and government experts will discuss the threat of intentional adulteration or natural contamination from farm to fork, weaponization of toxins, security of global supply chains, and public-private partnerships necessary to defend the Nation’s sustenance from sabotage.
Speakers
Jennifer van de Ligt
Founder, Food Edge Solutions LLC; Former Senior Advisor for Intentional Adulteration, Food and Drug Administration
Steve M. Ensley
Clinical Veterinary Toxicologist, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University; Section Head, Analytical Toxicology, Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
3:20–3:30 p.m. | Closing remarks
Tom Daschle
Commissioner
Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council
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The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council provides a comprehensive assessment of the state of US biodefense and recommends changes to policy and law that strengthen national biodefense while optimizing biodefense resources.
The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security works to develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges facing the United States and the world.
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