Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2009

Keywords

Bioviolence, Medical counter-measure preparedness, Biological weapons

Abstract

The obstacles to a functioning global infrastructure for bioviolence medical counter-measure (MCM) preparedness in the near future are legion. Naysayers could readily rattle off dozens of reasons why this or that initiative will not work, and they are right. The world is remarkably dysfunctional, and implementation of progressive reform in this context faces near infinite obstructions and frustrations. Moreover, there is scant evidence that global leaders consider such an infrastructure to be among their highest priorities.

The purpose of this article, however, is not to assess the political odds that such an infrastructure will be built soon; it is to draw a map of that infrastructure. For the moment, therefore, it is useful to shelve snide political realism and try to envision what a legally constituted global infrastructure for bioviolence MCM preparedness would look like. Significantly, necessary reforms require neither substantial expense nor drastic legal restructuring.

Comments

This article predates the author's affiliation with Cornell Law School.

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