### Question
How is the term biological agent defined?


### Answer
The term **biological agent** is defined in *18 U.S.C. § 178* as the following:

> any microorganism (including, but not limited to, bacteria, viruses, fungi, rickettsiae or protozoa), or infectious substance, or any naturally occurring, bioengineered or synthesized component of any such microorganism or infectious substance, capable of causing—


(A) death, disease, or other biological malfunction in a human, an animal, a plant, or another living organism

#### Citation:
  - *18 U.S.C. § 178*
  - Heading: **PART I-CRIMES > CHAPTER 10-BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS**

