Challenges in biodefense research and the role of US Army veterinary pathologists.

For years the nation's development of medical countermeasures to biowarfare agents has primarily existed as the domain of the United States military, but it has taken on increased urgency in the last few years. The realization that the civilian population is also at risk from biological agents has resulted in the institution of new biodefense programs at a variety of nonmilitary organizations. USAMRIID, a long-time leader in the nation's biodefense effort, will soon be joined by other US government agencies as part of a planned National Interagency Biodefense Campus at Fort Detrick Maryland. US Army veterinary pathologists at USAMRIID have played an important role in the nation's biodefense effort, along with our veterinary colleagues representing other specialties, our military colleagues in other Army Medical Department corps, and our civilian colleagues. Together, we will continue to strive to develop the diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutic agents, and operational practices that are required to meet the great demands posed by the threat of biowarfare agents.