During the presidential campaign, Barack Obama said his administration would "expand the U.S. government's bioforensics program for tracking the source of any biological weapon so that the U.S. will be able to rapidly identify any adversary who uses a biological weapon and respond surely and swiftly."

First, some background on bioforensics. It means the use of sophisticated scientific techniques to identify a country, group or individual responsible for the use of a biological weapon in order to pursue legal prosecution or military retaliation.

The key progress on this promise stems from work on an important research facility -- the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center at Fort Detrick in Maryland -- that's now operational.

The new facility includes a National Bioforensic Analysis Center, which directly addresses the issues raised in this promise. The center "conducts bioforensic analysis of evidence from a biocrime or terrorist attack to attain a 'biological fingerprint" to help investigators identify perpetrators and determine the origin and method of attack," says the office's website. "NBFAC is designated by Presidential Directive to be the lead federal facility to conduct and facilitate the technical forensic analysis and interpretation of materials recovered following a biological attack in support of the appropriate lead federal agency."

Secondarily, a new National Bio- and Agro-defense Facility in Manhattan, Kan. -- which would address biological threats to American agriculture -- is moving forward. The center is designed to replace the Plum Island Animal Disease Center on Long Island, N.Y., which is nearing the end of its practical life.

The first stage of construction of the new center is scheduled to begin in February 2012. Operations will be transferred from Plum Island beginning in 2017, with the transition process scheduled to be complete by 2019.

Combined, these steps add up to a Promise Kept.