In the NewsLinks appear for content that is available online indefinitely. August 26, 2009
Legislation to implement recommendations of WMD Commission forthcoming, by Mickey McCarter. Homeland Security Today.
The article refers to a conference to be convened October 6 by the Center for Biosecurity on preventing biothreats. Dr. Tara O’Toole is also mentioned. July 16, 2009
Move over swine flu, ebola’s back, porcine discovery rouses moribund plum island, by Jennifer Landes. East Hampton Star.
Dr. Tara O'Toole is mentioned this this article. June 19, 2009
DHS Nominee: Science for security, by Max Cacas. WFED, Federal News Radio.
Coverage of the Senate Homeland Security Committee's nomination hearing for Tara O'Toole, President Obama's choice for Undersecretary for Science and Technology at the Department of Homeland Security. June 11, 2009
O’Toole questioned on bioterror exercises, by Wes Mayle. Homeland Security Today.
During her nomination hearing before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Dr. Tara O'Toole responded to questions regarding the scientific assumptions used during the Dark Winter and Atlantic Storm exercises, and noted that the assumptions " were based on empirical data derived from the secondary infections that happened in the 1960s in Europe, just before the disease was eradicated." June 10, 2009
Capitol Briefing: Today on the Hill. Washington Post.
Article announces the hearing convened by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on the nomination of Center Director Dr. Tara O'Toole to be undersecretary for science and technology at the Department of Homeland Security Department. June 10, 2009
DHS Science & Technology nominee presents case, and takes some licks, by Daniel Fowler. CQ Homeland Security.
In an article reporting on the Senate hearing on the nomination of Dr. Tara O'Toole for DHS undersecretary for science and technology, Dr. O’Toole is quoted: "I make no apologies for my advocacy of the need for a stronger biodefense, I do not agree that we have done too much in biodefense. As you know, I think there is much left to be done." March 17, 2009
Hamburg, Pick for FDA, Faces an Agency in Crisis, by Alicia Mundy. Wall Street Journal.
Dr. O'Toole provides some background on Dr. Margaret Hamburg, former New York City Health Commissioner and President Obama’s nominee for FDA Commissioner. Dr. O’Toole noted that while in New York, Hamburg was known as the "steel magnolia" who "kicked down the door if she wanted something done." March 17, 2009
Homeland Security: Inside and Out, hosted by Dave McIntyre and Randy Larsen. Federal News Radio.
Dr. O'Toole discusses U.S. biosecurity strategy and the Center's work: “There are very few things that could actually rock the country, destabilize the country, and a big bioterrorist attack, or a moderate sized bioterrorist attack, or a campaign of such attacks, or an epidemic such as a pandemic flu episode would be on that list of horrible things that could happen.” Listen to interview December 11, 2008
Analysts debate bioterror risks. Global Security Newswire.
Dr. O'Toole notes that in conducting the Atlantic Storm and Dark Winter exercises, "The most striking response from the participants in both exercises was that for the most part, they had no idea that something like this was possible." November 10, 2008
Are we safer since 9/11?, by Marcus Stern & Adam Piore. Reader's Digest.
Dr. O'Toole comments about BSL research and the growing number of labs in the U.S.: "We can fight about the right number of labs, but the more researchers you have working on this, the more likely you're going to get effective medicine and vaccines against these threats." She also notes that "We don't have rapid diagnostic tests that say you have anthrax or flu...even though the technology exists." Autumn 2008
Bioterrorism's deadly math: Despite billions spent, we’re not ready for a big attack, by Judith Miller. City Journal.
Dr. O’Toole comments about the growing number of biosafety laboratories in the U.S. and the threat that research at these facilities poses to national security: “We have not wildly expanded over what we need. . . But we do need better training and to ensure that the labs and people in them conform to rigorous standards.” August 9, 2008
Prosecutors clear Hatfill in anthrax case, by Carrie Johnson and Joby Warrick. Washington Post.
Dr. O’Toole calls for scientific review of the evidence the FBI used to justify closing the investigation of Dr. Bruce Ivins: “They [the FBI] have got to get some technically competent people to talk about the science”…”For all I know, they may have it down cold. But they need to be transparent.” August 8, 2008
New details show anthrax suspect away on key day, by Carrie Johnson and Joby Warrick. Washington Post.
Dr. O’Toole comments about the Ivins investigation: “There is not enough scientific information to make an evaluation of the science the FBI used in this investigation.” August 7, 2008
Years after anthrax attacks, bioterrorism threat still looms, reported by Jeffrey Brown. The Newshour with Jim Lehrer, PBS.
Dr. O’Toole was interviewed at length regarding U.S. security 7 years after the anthrax letter attacks.
Story available: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/terrorism/july-dec08/bioterrorprep_08-07.html
Podcast available: http://www-tc.pbs.org/newshour/rss/media/2008/08/07/20080807_anthrax28.mp3 August 7, 2008
Threat of bioterrorism a frustrating and persistent security risk. Prism Insight Government Security Online Exclusive.
Dr. O’Toole comments that with regard to the nation’s capacity to detect a release of a pathogen and to distribute life-saving medicines to the public, and the capacity for hospitals to be able and meet the challenges associated with responding to a mass casualty event, “We’ve made very little progress in [any] of these very big areas.” August 7, 2008
The anthrax files, by Amanda Ripley. TIME.
With regard to the scientific evidence released by the FBI on August 6, 2008, in the Bruce Ivins case, Dr. O’Toole notes that “We don’t know what techniques were used to link the samples…There are a lot of weird little details that are tantalizing but unexplained.” August 6, 2008
Death renews biosecurity debate: Microbiologist’s suicide over anthrax case raises questions on U.S. regulations, by Amber Dance. Nature.
With regard to U.S. biosecurity and the threat of bioterrorism, Dr. O'Toole notes that “The notion that we can somehow prevent a bioattack by locking up pathogens in research laboratories is ridiculous”…“We have to make it so hard to kill a lot of people that the terrorists aren’t interested in trying.” August 5, 2008
Limited progress in preparing for bioterror attack, by Pam Fessler. National Public Radio.
With regard to the ground gained thus far in federal preparedness efforts, Dr. O’Toole comments: “In particular, think we miscalculated on how fragile and starved of resources the public health system truly is.”
Listen to the broadcast at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyid=93293385#share August 5, 2008
Anthrax and the biodefense debate, by Jane Clayson. On Point with Tom Ashbrook (Nationally Syndicated Talk Show). 90.0 WBUR (Boston National Public Radio Affiliate).
Dr. O’Toole was interviewed for this program, and one of her remarks is that “…we are trying to deal with a national security issue—a bioterrorism attack—via 3,000 public health departments at the city, county, and state level, and they all have different capabilities, and many of them have very different plans.”
Listen to the broadcast at http://www.onpointradio.org/shows/2008/08/anthrax/ August 4, 2008
Bioterrorism’s threat persists as top security risk; Efforts in response, prevention have made little progress, by Siobhan Gorman. Wall Street Journal.
Dr. O’Toole comments that with regard to the nation’s capacity to detect a release of a pathogen and to distribute life-saving medicines to the public, and the capacity for hospitals to be able and meet the challenges associated with responding to a mass casualty event, “We’ve made very little progress in [any] of these very big areas.” August 3, 2008
Modest gains against ever-present bioterrorism threat: An attack could be hard to predict with current tools, by Spencer S. Hsu. Washington Post.
Dr. O’Toole remarks that “There are a lot of fabulous new tools out there that could be turned to biosurveillance, but government hasn't figured out how to marshal them, who should control them or what to do.” July 16, 2008
Potential veeps joining Obama on Indiana trip, by Glen Johnson. Associated Press.
Dr. O’Toole is named as a participant with Senator Obama in a national security roundtable held at Purdue University. July 16, 2008
Obama on security with Bayh, Nunn. MSNBC.com.
Dr. O’Toole is named as a participant with Senator Obama in a national security roundtable held at Purdue University. January 9, 2008
New York presses to deploy more bioweapons sensors, by Spencer Hsu. Washington Post.
Article references a statement in Dr. O'Toole's October 2007 Congressional testimony: "Does it make sense to invest limited biodefense funds in more advanced BioWatch technology even as we cut funds for public health personnel needed to analyze BioWatch data, as we are now doing?" October 23, 2007
Panel frets about bioterror preparedness six years after anthrax attacks, by Lauren Phillips. Congressional Quarterly Today.
Regarding the lack of funding appropriated for BARDA, Dr. O'Toole was quoted:"That is sending, I think totally unintentionally, but very loudly, a message to the biotech and pharma companies in this game that Congress doesn't really take biodefense seriously." October 23, 2007
Vaccine problems, plans scrutinized during Senate hearing, by Dan Friedman. National Journal's Congress Daily.
With regard to funds for Project BioShield, Dr. O'Toole notes that "Five billion [dollars] is much less than we're going to need." August 28, 2007
Homeland Security Inside and Out. Host: Randy Larsen. KAMU 90.9 FM.
Radio interview with Dr. O'Toole regarding a Department of Homeland Security Inspector General's report about the National Biosurveillance Integration System: "This report actually says that since 2001 federal agencies have spent more than $32 billion on electronic surveillance systems to address biodefense, and I have to say, with regret, I haven't seen much improvement in what we can actually detect, or in our ability to manage a public health emergency once one is underway. So we've spent a lot of money not getting very far." August 27, 2007
Blind preparation, by Andy Opsahl. Government Technology.
In-depth interview with Dr. O'Toole in which she discusses the current state of bioterrorism preparedness and the lack of national strategy: ". . .This is why a conduct of operations plan—exactly what actions we are going to take if this happens—is important. The fact that it's missing, even for an anthrax attack, is another symptom of our lack of any kind of strategic thinking." August 10, 2007
Biological surveillance falls short, report says; Lack of staff cited as deficiency in program to protect nation; critics say Homeland Security has no strategy, by Rebecca Carr and Allison Young. Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Dr. O'Toole comments on the Department of Homeland Security's National Bio-Surveillance Integration System "They wanted to build a national hurricane watch for public health emergencies. . . But just as we saw with Hurricane Katrina, just watching the hurricane coming is not enough." July 5, 2007
When the 'bleed-out' begins; A state of unreadiness nearly 6 years after 9/11, by David Ignatius. Washington Post.
Dr. O'Toole's testimony before the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Homeland Security is quoted: "More than five years after the anthrax mailings, the U.S. still lacks a coherent plan for conduct of operations to guide the healthcare sector's response to mass-casualty care in the event of a bioterrorist attack or other large-scale catastrophe." June 1, 2007
Germ warfare: Agencies scramble to create vaccine market, by Breanne Wagner. National Defense.
Dr. O'Toole's testimony before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce is quoted on the subject of private investment in biodefense countermeasures: "Even in the most profitable scenarios, biodefense countermeasures . . . cannot generate profits comparable to successful medicines for chronic disease that are taken for years by large populations." May 16, 2007
Syndromic surveillance: Faulty alarm system or useful tool? by Maryn McKenna. CIDRAP News.
Article refers to recommendations that Dr. O'Toole made to Congress regarding the BioSense program. February 9, 2007
New York to test ways to prevent nuclear terror, by Eric Lipton. New York Times.
With regard to the potential use of detection devices to stop a terrorist plot to build a nuclear or radiological weapon within the U.S., Dr. O'Toole notes "This is total baloney. . . They are forgetting that no matter what type of engineering solution they try in good faith to come up with, this is a thinking enemy and they will look for a way around it." January 9, 2007
Homeland Security Inside and Out. Host: Randy Larsen. KAMU 90.9 FM.
Radio interview with Dr. O'Toole, who talks about biosecurity and biotechnology. Dr. O'Toole notes "If we really invested, in an intelligent way and on the appropriate scale, in understanding and dealing with infectious diseases, we could not only protect ourselves against bioterrorism and natural epidemics, we could eliminate big lethal epidemics of infectious disease around the world." | 
