The Washington Post's Guy Gugliotta and Gary Matsumoto report on the front page that leading scientists and biological weapons experts express doubts about the FBI's theory about last year's anthrax letter terrorism.
The FBI continues to believe that a single American scientist (Dr. Steven Hatfill) is behind the attacks. But, as Gugliotta and Matsumoto note:
These sources say that making a weaponized aerosol of such sophistication and virulence would require scientific knowledge, technical competence, access to expensive equipment and safety know-how that are probably beyond the capabilities of a lone individual.These scientists believe that the FBI may be wise to think about the possibility of state-sponsored terrorism. I would suggest following up on this question for a start.As a result, a consensus has emerged in recent months among experts familiar with the technology needed to turn anthrax spores into the deadly aerosol that was sent to Sens. Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.) and Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) that some of the fundamental assumptions driving the FBI's investigation may be flawed.
"In my opinion, there are maybe four or five people in the whole country who might be able to make this stuff, and I'm one of them," said Richard O. Spertzel, chief biological inspector for the U.N. Special Commission from 1994 to 1998. "And even with a good lab and staff to help run it, it might take me a year to come up with a product as good."
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