What is a "dual use" bioterrorism agent?

• A. In the hands of the wrong people, materials intended for legitimate scientific, medical, or commercial use have the potential to harm large numbers of people
• B. A pathogen that can affect both humans and plants
• C. A chemical that can be used for fertilizer and explosives
• D. A drone capable of delivering agents

Answer: (A)

Dual-use means materials or knowledge that have legitimate, beneficial uses but can be repurposed to cause harm. In biodefense, an agent is considered dual-use when the same biological materials or capabilities used for good—such as in research, medicine, or industry—could be misused to harm large numbers of people if accessed by the wrong actors. This idea is captured by the statement that materials intended for legitimate scientific, medical, or commercial use have the potential to harm large numbers when misused. It highlights the tension between beneficial applications and vulnerability to misuse.

The other descriptions don’t fit this concept. A perspective focusing on an agent’s ability to affect different hosts describes host range, not the potential for misuse. A description about a chemical with uses in fertilizer and explosives is about chemical dual-use, not a biological agent. A drone delivering agents refers to a delivery system rather than the agent’s dual-use nature.