Conflicts of values and biodefense measures

Today, we are faced with an enemy that blends into the fabric of our society and has connections internationally with friends and foes alike. Such an enemy can exploit the nature of our free and open society with impunity. We freely disclose information regarding much of our technology and we have an open government answerable to the public to a degree rarely seen anywhere else in the world This certainly suggests a need to close the gates to protect ourselves from those who would infiltrate us for ill will. We must suffer imposed restrictions on ourselves in order to do so as there are no simple methods to distinguish the enemy from our own in a variety of settings. After September 11, 2001, the anthrax scare, the concern over small pox, and other bioterrorist tactics, we can easily conclude that our concern is not exaggerated.