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AGROTERRORISM
by George F. Herring, MD, VMD
Associate Professor
Family & Community Medicine
Director, Pennsylvania Agromedicine Program
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
The Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine
(Oct 2007)
Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and a primary influence shaping our life style and environment. Whether living in a rural or urban setting, everyone is closely linked to the farming communities.
With the events of 9/11, we are now looking at another face of terrorism - Agroterrorism. The result of an agro terrorist event can include major economic crises, human casualties and loss of public confidence in local and state authorities.
Humans are at risk in terms of food safety or public health, especially if the chosen disease or bacterial agent is transmittable to humans. Health practitioners committed to maintaining the health of the citizens are often the first point of contact in identifying the threat and the disease.
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