What term describes the application of disease-causing microorganisms to harm a population?

The term that describes the application of disease-causing microorganisms to harm a population is bioterrorism. This concept involves the intentional release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs with the goal of causing illness or death among people, animals, or plants. Bioterrorism is often motivated by political, ideological, or social agendas and poses a significant threat to public health and safety.

Epidemiology focuses on studying the distribution and determinants of health-related states in populations, primarily aimed at understanding and controlling diseases rather than deploying them. Infection control refers to the practices used to prevent the spread of infections, particularly in healthcare settings, and does not involve harm to populations. Quarantine is a public health strategy used to separate and restrict the movement of individuals who may have been exposed to a communicable disease to prevent its spread, rather than applying disease agents to harm others.