Limited Progress In Preparing For Bioterrorism

The Justice Department is working out whether it can officially close the investigation of the 2001 anthrax attacks after scientist Bruce Ivins, described as the prime suspect, killed himself last week.

Even if the case is closed, though, the government still has to prepare for any future attacks or natural contagions.

Since the attacks, the federal government has spent about $50 billion to improve the way it detects and responds to biological threats. But progress has been limited, and some security experts say the threat is greater than it was. ....