Terrorists 'likely' to use biological weapon in 5 years, Commission predicts

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Terrorists are likely to use a weapon of mass
destruction somewhere in the world in the next five years, a blue-ribbon panel
assembled by Congress has concluded.

They are more likely to use a biological weapon than a nuclear one, the
Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and
Terrorism said in its report.

The United States government "needs to move more aggressively to limit"
the spread of biological weapons, the commission said.

Former Sen. Bob Graham, who chaired the investigation, told CNN that a
biological attack was more likely than a nuclear one because it would be easier
to carry out.

Biological weapons "are more available," he told CNN Homeland Security
Correspondent Jeanne Meserve. "Anthrax is a natural product of dead animals.
Other serious pathogens are available in equally accessible forms."

"There are so many scientists who have the skills to convert a pathogen
from benign helpful purposes into an illicit, very harmful weapon," he added.

But the commission warned that there is also a threat of nuclear
terrorism, both because more countries are developing nuclear weapons and
because some existing nuclear powers are expanding their arsenals.