In a world where politics and economic trends are dictated by the United States, biological weapons offer an asymmetric advantage to political or religious groups waging war with the United States and the American way of life.  Dr. Pierre Noel, of the NIH Clinical Center, presents the recent history of biological warfare programs, which offers a good perspective of what the future may hold. He also discusses the characteristics that may render a biological agent a potential weapon. From the Series:2002 Medicine for the Public Lecture Series