Plant-pathogenic bacteria as biological weapons. Real threats?

Young J.M., Allen Caitilyn, Coutinho Teresa A., Denny T., Elphinstone J., Fegan Max, Gillings M., Gottwald T.R., Graham J.H., Iacobellis N.S., Janse J.D., Jacques Marie Agnès, López María M., Morris Cindy E., Parkinson N., Prior Philippe, Pruvost Olivier, Rodrigues Neto J., Scortichini Marco, Takikawa Y., Upper C.D.. 2008. Plant-pathogenic bacteria as biological weapons. Real threats?. Phytopathology, 98 (10) : 1060-1065.

https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-98-10-1060

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Liste HCERES des revues (en SHS) : oui

Thème(s) HCERES des revues (en SHS) : Psychologie-éthologie-ergonomie

Résumé : At present, much attention is being given to the potential of plant pathogens, including plant-pathogenic bacteria, as biological weapons/bioterror weapons. These two terms are sometimes used interchangeably and there is need for care in their application. It has been claimed that clandestine introduction of certain plant-pathogenic bacteria could cause such crop losses as to impact so significantly on a national economy and thus constitute a threat to national security. As a separate outcome, it is suggested that they could cause serious public alarm, perhaps constituting a source of terror. Legislation is now in place to regulate selected plantpathogenic bacteria as potential weapons. However, we consider it highly doubtful that any plant-pathogenic bacterium has the requisite capabilities to justify such a classification. Even if they were so capable, the differentiation of pathogens into a special category with regulations that are even more restrictive than those currently applied in quarantine legislation of most jurisdictions offers no obvious benefit. Moreover, we believe that such regulations are disadvantageous insofar as they limit research on precisely those pathogens most in need of study. Whereas some human and animal pathogens may have potential as biological or bioterror weapons, we conclude that it is unlikely that any plant-pathogenic bacterium realistically falls into this category.

Mots-clés Agrovoc : agent pathogène, pathologie végétale, biosécurité, réglementations à la biosécurité

Classification Agris : H20 - Maladies des plantes
D50 - Législation
000 - Autres thèmes

Champ stratégique Cirad : Axe 1 (2005-2013) - Intensification écologique

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