Glossary

Processes of organic origin or those conveyed by biological vectors, including

exposure to pathogenic micro-organisms, toxins and bioactive substances, which may

cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or

environmental degradation. Examples of biological hazards include outbreaks of

epidemic diseases, plant or animal contagion, insect or other animal plagues and

extensive infestations.

“Biological threat agents are microorganisms such as bacteria, rickettsia, fungi, viruses and toxins, that cause infections leading to incapacitation or death of people, domestic animals and/or destruction of crop plants.”(1)

Biological agents are not biological weapons. Merely possessing biological agents with the theoretical potential to cause harm is insufficient; the toxins or microorganisms need to be “weaponized”, i.e. prepared and disseminated effectively to their target.”(2)

(1) FFI FACTS

(2) Ackerman, G.A. and Moran, K.S. (2006), p.3

А systematic deviation of results or inferences from the truth or processes leading to

such systematic deviation; any systematic tendency in the collection, analysis,

interpretation, publication, or review of data that can lead to conclusions that are

systematically different from the truth. In epidemiology, does not imply intentional

deviation.

A concept in research ethics which states that researchers should have the welfare of

the research participant as a goal of any clinical trial. The antonym of this term,

maleficence, describes a practice which opposes the welfare of any research

participant. The concept that medical professionals and researchers would always

practice beneficence seems natural to most patients and research participants, but in

fact, every health intervention or research intervention has potential to harm the