Universal Detection Technology Bioweapons Detection Kits Combat Black-Market Botox, Bioterrorists

Main Category: Bio-terrorism / Terrorism
Also Included In: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Article Date: 23 Jun 2010 - 0:00 PDT

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Universal Detection Technology (OTCBB: UNDT), a developer of early-warning monitoring technologies to protect people from bioterrorism and other infectious health threats, and provider of counter-terrorism consulting and training services, commented today on a recent study that said worldwide consumer demand for Botox was driving a black-market of fake versions of the cosmetic. The uncontrolled and unregulated production and distribution of counterfeit Botox could lead to would-be bioterrorists harboring botulinum toxin, the study warns.

The study was conducted by Monterey Institute's James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies and published in the June issue of Scientific American.

According to the authors, "the fake cosmetic products generally contain real toxin, albeit in widely varying amounts." However, while one small vial might not pose a serious threat, the potential for would-be terrorists to purchase the products in bulk, or attempt to manufacture botulinum toxin themselves, is a grave concern.

Botulinum toxin is one of the most toxic substances known to man, more toxic than sarin nerve agent. It is estimated that a single gram of crystallized botulinum toxin could kill more than one million people. Botulinum toxin could be used to contaminate food supplies, but a more likely scenario involves dissemination of the toxin as an aerosol.

"This biowarfare potential puts the existence of illicit laboratories churning out the toxin and of shady distributors selling it worldwide through the internet into a more disturbing light than most pharmaceutical fraud," noted the authors.

"The growing black-market for counterfeit Botox, while a consumer protection issue, should be a major red flag for our national security," said Jacques Tizabi, CEO of Universal Detection Technology. "Universal Detection Technology is prepared to equip law enforcement, military, special forces and customs agents with the tools necessary to easily detect the lethal bioagent botulinum toxin, as well as a host of other deadly biohazards."

Tizabi noted that the company's flagship bioweapons detection kits, certified last year by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as an "Approved Product for Homeland Security," are ideally suited for law enforcement teams uncovering counterfeit Botox detection labs in the field, as well as rapidly identifying suspicious agents discovered in unsecured locations. The kits are designed to detect and identify up to five separate threats using one sample in a single, easy-to-use device. The kits equip first responders with an effective tool for the rapid onsite detection of up to five biological warfare agents: anthrax, ricin, botulinum toxin, Y. pestis (plague) and Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB). Detection time is under three minutes.

Source:
Universal Detection Technology

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