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| Use of such weapons was banned in international law by the ] of ]. Despite this, research was carried out in ] during ] that left a ] contaminated with ] for the next 48 years. Considerable research on the topic was performed by the ], the ], and probably other major nations throughout the ] era, though it is generally believed such weapons were never used. | Use of such weapons was banned in international law by the ] of ]. Despite this, research was carried out in ] during ] that left a ] contaminated with ] for the next 48 years. Considerable research on the topic was performed by the ], the ], and probably other major nations throughout the ] era, though it is generally believed such weapons were never used. | ||
| The ] reported on ], ] that the United States army has been developing weapons-grade ] spores at a biological and chemical weapons facility in ] at least since ]. | The ] reported on ], ] that the United States army has been developing weapons-grade ] spores at a biological and chemical weapons facility in ] at least since ]. However, the United States had and | ||
| maintains a stated policy of never using biological weapons under any | |||
| circumstances. | |||
| Diseases likely to be considered for use as biological weapons include anthrax, ], ] and ] because of their lethality (if delivered efficiently), and robustness making ] delivery feasible. | Diseases likely to be considered for use as biological weapons include anthrax, ], ] and ] because of their lethality (if delivered efficiently), and robustness making ] delivery feasible. | ||
| A successful biowarfare attack could theoretically result in thousands, possibly even millions of deaths (though such a catastrophic attack would be difficult to mount with currently-known diseases), and could result in severe disruptions to societies and economies. | A successful biowarfare attack could theoretically result in thousands, possibly even millions of deaths (though such a catastrophic attack would be difficult to mount with currently-known diseases), and could result in severe disruptions to societies and economies. However the military | ||
| usefulness is extremely limited for state actors due to the fact that | |||
| any biological attack would require several days to be effective and that | |||
| the disease used can easily spread back to the attacker. | |||
| ==== ] ==== | ==== ] ==== | ||
Revision as of 20:57, 25 March 2002
Biological warfare is the use of bacteria, virus or other disease-causing organism as a weapon of war. Also known as germ warfare.
Biological warfare is believed to have been practised in the Middle Ages, often by flinging victims of the Black Death over castle walls using catapults.
Use of such weapons was banned in international law by the Geneva convention of 1925. Despite this, research was carried out in Britain during World War II that left a Scottish Island contaminated with anthrax for the next 48 years. Considerable research on the topic was performed by the United States, the Soviet Union, and probably other major nations throughout the Cold War era, though it is generally believed such weapons were never used.
The Washington Post reported on December 13, 2001 that the United States army has been developing weapons-grade anthrax spores at a biological and chemical weapons facility in Utah at least since 1992. However, the United States had and maintains a stated policy of never using biological weapons under any circumstances.
Diseases likely to be considered for use as biological weapons include anthrax, pneumonic plague, cholera and smallpox because of their lethality (if delivered efficiently), and robustness making aerosol delivery feasible.
A successful biowarfare attack could theoretically result in thousands, possibly even millions of deaths (though such a catastrophic attack would be difficult to mount with currently-known diseases), and could result in severe disruptions to societies and economies. However the military usefulness is extremely limited for state actors due to the fact that any biological attack would require several days to be effective and that the disease used can easily spread back to the attacker.
2001 anthrax attack
Numerous cases of anthrax broke out in the United States in the fall of 2001, caused deliberately. They may well be the first use of biological warfare since the signing of the convention, and possibly the first act of bioterrorism.
External links
Naval Toxicology Manual http://braddock.com/library/nstm/470v0r3.pdf
Nerve Agents http://www.opcw.nl/chemhaz/nerve.htm
Potomac Institute Course Notes http://www.potomacinstitute.org/pubs/bt1proc.pdf
Survival-Mindset.com http://www.survival-mindset.com/survival_g4.htm
The Terrorist Threat, Parts I, II & III http://www.sgaus.org/dahlke.htm
US Army Treatment Summary Sheet http://www.emergency.com/2001/bio-treatment.htm
WHO: Health Aspects of Biological and Chemical Weapons http://www.who.int/emc/pdfs/BIOWEAPONS_FULL_TEXT2.pdf