[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 18USC178]
TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I--CRIMES
CHAPTER 10--BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS
Sec. 178. Definitions
As used in this chapter--
(1) the term ``biological agent'' means any microorganism
(including, but not limited to, bacteria, viruses, fungi,
rickettsiae or protozoa), or infectious substance, or any naturally
occurring, bioengineered or synthesized component of any such
microorganism or infectious substance, capable of causing--
(A) death, disease, or other biological malfunction in a
human, an animal, a plant, or another living organism;
(B) deterioration of food, water, equipment, supplies, or
material of any kind; or
(C) deleterious alteration of the environment;
(2) the term ``toxin'' means the toxic material or product of
plants, animals, microorganisms (including, but not limited to,
bacteria, viruses, fungi, rickettsiae or protozoa), or infectious
substances, or a recombinant or synthesized molecule, whatever their
origin and method of production, and includes--
(A) any poisonous substance or biological product that may
be engineered as a result of biotechnology produced by a living
organism; or
(B) any poisonous isomer or biological product, homolog, or
derivative of such a substance;
(3) the term ``delivery system'' means--
(A) any apparatus, equipment, device, or means of delivery
specifically designed to deliver or disseminate a biological
agent, toxin, or vector; or
(B) any vector;
(4) the term ``vector'' means a living organism, or molecule,
including a recombinant or synthesized molecule, capable of carrying
a biological agent or toxin to a host; and
(5) the term ``national of the United States'' has the meaning
prescribed in section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22)).
(Added Pub. L. 101-298, Sec. 3(a), May 22, 1990, 104 Stat. 202; amended
Pub. L. 104-132, title V, Sec. 511(b)(3), title VII, Sec. 721(h), Apr.
24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1284, 1299; Pub. L. 107-188, title II,
Sec. 231(c)(4), June 12, 2002, 116 Stat. 661.)
Amendments
2002--Par. (1). Pub. L. 107-188, Sec. 231(c)(4)(A), in introductory
provisions substituted ``means any microorganism (including, but not
limited to, bacteria, viruses, fungi, rickettsiae or protozoa), or
infectious substance, or any naturally occurring, bioengineered or
synthesized component of any such microorganism or infectious substance,
capable of'' for ``means any micro-organism, virus, infectious
substance, or biological product that may be engineered as a result of
biotechnology, or any naturally occurring or bioengineered component of
any such microorganism, virus, infectious substance, or biological
product, capable of''.
Par. (2). Pub. L. 107-188, Sec. 231(c)(4)(B), in introductory
provisions substituted ``means the toxic material or product of plants,
animals, microorganisms (including, but not limited to, bacteria,
viruses, fungi, rickettsiae or protozoa), or infectious substances, or a
recombinant or synthesized molecule, whatever their origin and method of
production, and includes--'' for ``means the toxic material of plants,
animals, microorganisms, viruses, fungi, or infectious substances, or a
recombinant molecule, whatever its origin or method of production,
including--''.
Par. (4). Pub. L. 107-188,
