Project Bacchus

Project Bacchus was a covert investigation by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency US Defense Department to determine whether it is possible to construct a bioweapons production facility with off-the-shelf equipment.

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In the two-year simulation, the facility was constructed, and production of anthrax-like bacterium was successfully completed. The participating scientists were able to produce about one kilogram of highly-refined bacterial particles. [1].

The project's name seem to refer to the Greek god Bacchus of wines - which are produced though fermentation, like the bacteria.

References

• Report in the New Scientist
• Analysis by Arms Control Association of biodefense research