Posing as representatives of a medical lab in Africa, these undercover men were offered samples of anthrax and brucella by a lab in Indonesia. This Asian plant made no check on their identities or even asked how the lethal products might be used. Another group of Sunday Times reporters was offered lethal botulinum bacteria by a plant in the Czech Republic. These two labs—one in Eastern Europe and one in the Far East—are among about 450 germ collectors worldwide. Some 50 offer anthrax; about 35 trade in botulinum.

Undercover British reporters contacted about 20 of these plants, including three in Mexico, Brazil and China. The latter did at least ask for an export license before approving the sale.

What are the implications of these discoveries? Microscopic amounts of these germs can quickly kill hundreds of people if inhaled or consumed in contaminated food products. Rogue countries such as North Korea and Iraq, along with terrorist cells around the world, are suspected of buying and storing these lethal agents. Several British politicians are clamoring for tighter international controls.

A feature article concluded: "The CIA has warned that biological and chemical weapons represent the most urgent long-term threat to the West. There are fears that anyone with a basic scientific knowledge and a backroom laboratory could use the bugs to make biological weapons." (Source: The Sunday Times[London].)