18 USC 178 - Definitions

U.S Code last checked for updates: Oct 16, 2024

§ 178.

Definitions

As used in this chapter—

(1)

(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, § 3(a), May 22, 1990, 104 Stat. 202; amended Pub. L. 104–132, title V, § 511(b)(3), title VII, § 721(h), Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1284, 1299; Pub. L. 107–188, title II, § 231(c)(4), June 12, 2002, 116 Stat. 661.)

cite as: 18 USC 178