Biological weapons pose more of a psychosocial threat than a physical danger, a Royal College of Physicians seminar heard last week.

Speakers suggested that biological weapons were “not very good” at causing death or destruction, but they warned of the dangers of public panic and loss of confidence in the authorities. The seminar on biological weapons was held “to try and get away from hype and the atmosphere of fear,” said Sir George Alberti, president of the college. …