Biological and Chemical Warfare essays

Biological and Chemical Warfare essays The use of biotechnology could send our world back to the death and despair of the dark ages. There have been efforts to have a global ban on this type of warfare, but as long as there are terrorists, this type of warfare will continue to be their primary use of these destructive chemicals. Although biological and chemical weapons are similar in some ways, they also differ. They both have extreme effects, those contaminated by them need to take precaution against disease. The information needed to manufacture biological and chemical weapons is widely known and can be obtained easily through the Internet, medical journals, or by any ordinary book from the library. Any country, even with a small pharmaceutical industry can produce biological and chemical weapons easily and cheaply. Biological agents can be produced using flasks or fomenters such as those in making beer. Strains of viruses and bacteria can be ordered through the mail from laboratory supply houses, can be cultivated in living animals, or removed from dead animals. Although chemical and biological agents are easily available, it takes knowledge and planning to turn them into destructive weapons. Chemical weapons can be used against people through acts of terrorism. Anthrax is a common weapon used by terrorists. Less that a thimbleful dispersed in the air could potentially kill hundreds of people. Terrorists use these acts or threats in attempt to accomplish their own political, religious, or other goals. Biological agents can also cause diseases through bacteria in food. In spite of possible bomb threats, polls show that Americans are more concerned about biological and chemical attacks. Biological weapons are a lot older than we think and some are centuries old. More than 20 million people died between 1918 and 1919 during an influenza epidemic that spread around the world. Since 1981 the HSU virus has infected more than 29 million and ki...