The Bioterrorism Act of 2002

After the terrorist acts that caused the collapse of the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001, the U.S. Congress passed The Bioterrorism Act of 2002. The full name of the law is the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness Response Act of 2002. The main goal of the law is to protect the food supply from bioterrorism. The law also covers drinking water security and controls on dangerous biological agents and toxins. The main provisions of The Bioterrorism Act of 2002 are discussed below.

Criminal Sanctions against Companies for Defrauding the Government and Selling Adulterated Foods and Drugs

Federal law prohibits a company, its officers, or its management from making false statements to the federal government or defrauding the government. In addition, various laws allow federal agencies to ask the U.S. Attorney General to bring criminal prosecutions against companies, their officers, or their management.

Human Gene Therapy

Genes are the basic units of heredity. Human genes contain information that tells the body how to work. They are responsible for cellular structure and function. When a gene is defective, it prevents the cell from carrying out its normal functions.

Punitive Damages in Products Liability Lawsuits

In the context of products liability litigation, damages means a monetary award to compensate an injured person for medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain and suffering associated with the injury. In addition, the courts can award punitive damages, also called exemplary damages. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the manufacturer or seller that caused the injury when the court finds that the misconduct of the manufacturer or the seller was outrageous. The courts try to deter similar conduct in the future by awarding punitive damages. Punitive damages are aimed at deterrence and retribution.

Contaminated Blood Product Litigation

When patients are faced with life threatening injuries or diseases, they sometimes rely on blood donations to save their lives. What happens when the blood they rely on to save them actually makes them sicker?