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Botulotoxin: dangerous poison or useful remedy?
HAMERNÍKOVÁ, Magdalena
ABSTRACT Botulotoxin: dangerous poison or useful remedy? Regarding present awareness of biological agents and the possibilities for terrorist groups several possible sources, which are most likely to be abused in biological weapons and subsequent spread of these diseases (sources) in population have been addressed, botulotoxin is one of them. Poisoning with botulotoxin (botulism) is a possible variant of bio-terrorist attack, which is considered real at present.. Botulotoxin is used in cosmetics, particularly for smoothening wrinkles, and is also applied in medicine. The aim of my thesis was to gather summarized information on botulotoxin and the possibilities of its abuse as poison for terrorist attack, to enlighten its availability, the way of use by terrorist, a scenario of such an attack, the clinical progress of poisoning, possible mortalities and preventive measures minimizing them, the issues of using botulotoxin as medicine in present health care and evaluation the possible consequent risks, and evaluation of awareness of botulotoxin and bio-terrorism in general among general public and professionals. H1: Professionals consider botulotoxin one of the poisons most likely to be used as an instrument of bio-terrorism and has been high attention paid to its study. H2: General public more perceive botulotoxin as cosmetic preparation for smoothening wrinkles in a face and it has only a few informations of its terrorist abuse. Verification of the first hypothesis was performed at theoretical level by studying professional literature its critical assessment and consultation with experts. All available publications on botulotoxin and its relation to bio-terrorism of the last ten years were collected, and the reasons why botulotoxin is considered to be a suitable instrument of bio-terrorism as well as a suitable instrument in medicine and cosmetics. Verification of the second hypothesis was performed by investigation in the form of a questionnaire research. A questionnaire enabling to find out awareness of botulotoxin and bio-terrorism in general among the public was compiled. The research was conducted among the general public and among professionals, represented by members of the Integrated Rescue System in České Budějovice. The questionnaire consists of 18 questions. The samples of both the groups include 100 respondents, stratified selection of whom was performed upon consultation with an expert. Questionnaire evaluation was performed in 2 spheres. The first sphere deals with identification data and the second with general awareness. The aim of this work was to find out what the awareness of botulotoxin and bio-terrorism in general the general public and professionals was like. Finally I analysed the research results and the formulated hypotheses The research results have confirmed my hypotheses. They show that the examined general public sample and the sample of professionals could not have been chosen from an identical outside group, the difference between them is statistically significant. Professionals are statistically significantly better aware of botulotoxin features than the general public. This thesis represent an information source for those interested in these issues, particularly for the Integrated Rescue System units.
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