Annex E. International Armaments Strategy Army Science and Technology Master Plan (ASTMP 1997)
Annex E. International Armaments Strategy P. Medical and Biomedical Science and Technology
Military medical and biomedical research is concerned with preserving and optimizing combatant's health and capabilities despite extraordinary battle, nonbattle, and disease threats. Table E.II-15 summarizes capabilities and opportunities in each technical subarea.
Table E.II-15. Medical and Biomedical Science and Technology
| P. MEDICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | UNITED KINGDOM | FRANCE | GERMANY | OTHER COUNTRIES | JAPAN | PACIFIC RIM | FSU |
| INFECTIOUS DISEASES |  Infectious diseases |
Infectious diseases |
Infectious diseases |
 Israel, Kenya, Thailand,
Switzerland, Sweden, Italy, Netherlands Infectious
diseases |
|
Singapore, China Infectious
diseases |
 Infectious diseases |
| MEDICAL BIOLOGICAL DEFENSE | Biological and chemical defense |
Biological and chemical defense |
Biological and chemical defense |
Canada, Israel, Sweden,
Switzerland, Netherlands Chemical defense |
Many
countries involved in applicable biomedical defense
research |
||
| ARMY OPERATIONAL MEDICINE | Broad cooperation sought in all aspects
of military medicine and casualty care |
 Medical imaging |
|||||
| COMBAT CASUALTY CARE | Medical imaging |
||||||
For humanitarian reasons much of the research and technology related to this area are shared widely. The spread of AIDS and other virulent diseases such as Ebola and other filoviruses, and the emergence of a variety of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains have spurred world-wide research efforts. Many of the countries involved in this research do may not have efforts directed specifically at biomedical defense, per se. However, any breakthroughs in prevention and treatment of the more virulent diseases would be of interest. Here opportunities for cooperation are driven by a variety of factors, including the geographical location of certain occurrences of diseases (e.g., Kenya, Thailand) or centers of excellence in specific areas of research (virology in France).
In addition, the growth ad dissemination of basic biotechnology has led to growing capabilities in a number of other countries. These are discussed in greater detail in Annex E, Section III.J. Medical Science.
Another area of medicine that is growing rapidly world wide, is the use of internetworking and high quality video to create virtual medical "teams" for diagnosis and treatment (including surgery). This is also one of the objectives of DOD and Army initiatives for battlefield digitization as part of an overall strategy to achieve information superiority.
The highlighted opportunities listed below respond to a clear imperative for international cooperation that derives from both humanitarian and military considerations. The military concern is the potential use of biological weapons by terrorists or extranational groups, and the need for both preventive and curative measures.
In addition to the specific medical opportunities listed below, where existing or near-term pending agreements offer significant potential benefits, the ASTMP identifies requirements in the general area of training, conditioning, and treatment for protection, sustainment, and human performance enhancement of soldiers that may be candidates for cooperation. Leading candidates for cooperation in this area include France, the UK, Germany.