LONDON ¿ The BioIndustry Association has set up the BioDefense task force to coordinate the expertise of the industry and work with the UK government on measures to detect, prevent and manage any attacks by bioterrorists.

The task force has conducted a survey of 85 UK companies to identify relevant expertise and said it is committed to working with the government to help ensure comprehensive contingency plans are in place.

The BIA noted that the risk of biological attacks on the UK is considered low, but says the anthrax attacks in the U.S. have ¿made it imperative for this country [the UK] to consider its preparedness for attacks of this type.¿

The survey showed that the UK biotechnology industry has existing expertise that is relevant both to conventional health care and for defense against biological agents, but the task force also wants to bring to the government¿s attention relevant research projects.

¿For example, developmental work currently is under way in vaccines, vaccine delivery systems and antiviral and antibiotic treatments which could be used to protect against and treat exposure to biological agents,¿ the BIA said. Another example is gene therapy, where a number of companies are developing techniques that the BIA said ¿could be adapted to treat people exposed to biological agents.¿

The UK also is a leader in the field of DNA vaccine technology, which offers the potential to protect against a range of serious diseases that previously have not been preventable through vaccines.