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biodefense

biodefense

2 7.6
To protect people and the environment from attacks using germs as weapons
  • noun
  • /ˌbaɪoʊdɪˈfɛns/
  • Specialized
translation icon : biodefensa
  • The heightened political attention accorded to the threat of infectious diseases has, for instance, prompted the passage of new legislation that grants governments extended powers, given greater impetus for intervention (and ownership) by central governments in health care services, and resulted in millions (and in some instances billions) of dollars' worth of investment in civil and military biodefense initiatives.
  • biodefense research
  • US biodefense

Examples

  • Yet according to Leitenberg, Washington policymakers have instead focused on bioterrorism and biodefense.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The research at the Center for Infection and Immunity was performed under the auspices of AI57158 (Northeast Biodefense Center-Lipkin), US Agency for International Development PREDICT program, and USA Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

    Academic text (2012)
  • More than $20 billion has been spent on biodefense research since 2001...

    Blog text (5)
  • High containment labs and other facilities of the US biodefense program

    Academic text (2007)
  • He then shifted the film's focus to a broader and concluding charge: US biodefense research was endangering humankind.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Dr. Kugelman is a biodefense research scientist and bioinformatician in the Center for Genome Sciences at the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases.

    Academic text (2014)
  • In December 2006, Battelle National Biodefense Institute hooked the $250-million, five-year DHS contract to run the NBACC.

    Academic text (2007)
  • More than a dozen universities and private consortia are currently vying to win the DHS contract for its own new biodefense research center tagged at roughly $450 million.

    Academic text (2007)
  • When these figures are contrasted with the five deaths from the 2001 anthrax attacks, it is little short of amazing that in fiscal year 2006 the National Institutes of Health (NIH) received $1.76 billion for biodefense but only $120 million to fight influenza.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The government implemented new biodefense measures to safeguard against potential biological attacks.

Synonyms

biosecurity
vsbiodefense
  • Specialized
1 5.1

Measures to stop harmful germs and diseases spreading among people, animals, or plants

is specific to military or terrorist attacks rather than general safety measures
biological defense
vsbiodefense
  • Specialized
4.3

Actions to protect people and places from harmful bacteria, viruses and toxins

is focused on military or terrorist attacks and on protecting environments
BW defense
vsbiodefense
  • Specialized
6.1

Actions and plans to protect people from attacks using germs that cause disease

is broader, also covering terrorist acts and civilian environmental protection
biological warfare defense
vsbiodefense
  • Specialized
4.8

Actions and plans to protect people and places from attacks using harmful germs

also applies to nonwar attacks such as terrorism and environmental harm

How Protected

biodefense
  • Specialized
2 7.6
biosecurity
  • Specialized
1 5.1
precaution
229 3.4
vulnerability
156 5.1

Surface Forms

biodefense singular
biodefenses plural

Morphology

biodefense = defense (semi-transparent) = bio + defense

The structure 'bio + defense' is clear, but the word is specialized and the prefix refers to biological agents rather than everyday 'life' in a way many learners may not fully infer.

Etymology

Biodefense is made of bio- which means 'life', the same part you see in biology, and defense which means 'protection'. So, biodefense is about actions and tools used to protect people and the environment from harmful germs, viruses, or biological attacks.