Introduction to Volume IX

Abstract

We are pleased to publish Volume IX of the Journal of Biosecurity, Biosafety and Biodefense Law. This volume continues the Journal’s tradition of shining light on emerging and important issues within the fields of biosecurity, biosafety, and biodefense law, both from a practical as well as a theoretical perspective. The lead article of Volume IX is a transcript of a presentation entitled Ethical Challenges in Biosecurity and the Lawyer’s Obligations. Dr. Sheri Dacso, Partner at Seyforth Shaw, and Cheryl Erwin, Director of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Medical Bioethics Program, presented on both the ethical framework of bioethics in clinics and the application of bioethics and cyber terrorism laws. The remaining articles selected for Volume IX are divided into four subject-matter areas. The first addresses biological threats and national preparedness. The second addresses Good Samaritan laws in response to biological epidemics. The third focuses on the environmental ramifications of released biological agents. Finally, the fourth addresses public health regulations. The first section provides an in depth look at the United States’ regulations and laws in place that help prevent and mitigate biological threats. Lionel “Jake” Roach addresses the compensatory laws governing medical coverage to victims of terrorism in his article The Disability Benefit Implications of an Intentional Biological Weapon Attack. In her article Regulations & Resolutions: Does the BWC Prevent Terrorists from Accessing Bioweapons?, Sarah Scrivner discusses potential terrorist possession of biological weapons and international law currently in place. Carder Brooks, in his article Classifying and Regulating Biological Agents in the United States: Problems Posed to Global Biosecurity, discusses how the classification of biological agents in the United States effects biosecurity regulations. In A Fresh Threat: Will CAS9 Lead to CRISPR Bioweapons?, Daniel Willingham touches on the manufacturing of biological agents through gene editing devises such as CRISPR, and how current regulations could address such a biological threat. The second section takes a brief look at Good Samaritan laws throughout the United States. Author Nicolas Northcut in his article Is the Good Samaritan Really Good? A Look into the Possible Harm Caused by Current Good Samaritan Laws, discusses how the lack of uniformity among the states creates ambiguity in protection, and how that might complicate and even obstruct necessary aid in the event of a bioterrorist attack. The third section discusses the environmental impacts and effects that may take place in various biological events. Uzochukwu Okonkwo, in his article Human Life and the Environment: Is There a Balance?, examines the biological alteration of mosquitos in response to Zika, and further discusses the societal and ecological side-effects this could have on ecosystems. Additionally, in the article Biological Warfare and Environmental Decontamination Post-Exposure: Who Is Responsible?, Kristyn Urban-Sorensen analyzes the response time and decontamination legal frameworks of biological threats. The final section addresses the public health regulations and issues of compulsory vaccinations and mandated quarantine in response to infectious diseases. Chase Price explores the history and policy behind Texas quarantine laws in his article All Things are Bigger in Texas: Due Process Issues of Area Quarantine. Emily Thakar, in her article God Bless Texas: Should Texas Eliminate the Vaccine Exemption for Reasons of Conscience?, considers the policy behind state vaccine exemptions and their effectiveness. Volume IX concludes with the article Government and Immunization: Can We Do That?, by Tyler Vessley. In this, Mr Vessley argues that individual states have the authority to mandate vaccinations during outbreaks, regardless of exemption statutes. The interdisciplinarity of the Journal requires a broad range of talent in the biological sciences as well as law and legal writing. It is also a peer-reviewed law journal, which is the exception rather than the rule in scholarly law journal publishing. The production of Volume IX is due to the many talented people across these disciplines for who a warm thank you is in order. I thank the anonymous peer reviewers and Board of Editors for their steadfast dedication to this growing area of law and to the Journal. Sincere thanks also go to our Student Board of Editors: Editor-in-Chief, Courtney Campion; Executive Managing Editor, Nina Dinh; Lead Articles Editor, Robert Avila; and Organizational Development Editor, Andrew Tingan. Each member of the Student Board of Editors devoted themselves to preparing articles for publication and day-to-day management of Volume IX. Additionally, our outstanding Associate Editors ensured every detail of the editing process was skillfully executed to meet the deadlines for Volume IX. Finally, a special thanks to Professor Brie Sherwin who