Table of Contents
What are the dangers of biological warfare?
Bioweapons, Biodiversity, and Ecocide: Potential Effects of Biological Weapons on Biological Diversity: Bioweapon disease outbreaks could cause the extinction of endangered wildlife species, the erosion of genetic diversity in domesticated plants and animals, the destruction of traditional human livelihoods, and the …
Why are biological weapons a threat?
There is a heightened threat of biological weapons being used for biological warfare or bioterrorism. Many of the microorganisms and toxins that may be used as such biological weapons can easily be acquired and mass produced. Dissemination of aerosols of these biological agents can produce mass casualties.
Why is biological warfare illegal?
The United Kingdom first proposed a global biological weapons ban in 1968. Reasoning that bioweapons had no useful military or strategic purpose given the awesome power of nuclear weapons, the U.K. had ended its offensive bioweapons program in 1956.
Why is bioterrorism a threat?
What is bioterrorism? Bioterrorism is the intentional release or threat of release of biologic agents (i.e. viruses, bacteria, fungi or their toxins) in order to cause disease or death among human population or food crops and livestock to terrorize a civilian population or manipulate the government [3].
How can you protect against biological warfare?
Available protective equipment include respiratory protective devices, full face protective masks and surgical masks for respiratory protection, battle dress overgarments, protective gloves and overboots for skin protection. Full protection is needed when the agent has not been identified.
Is biological warfare a threat in the 21st century?
Biological warfare: an emerging threat in the 21st century. Anthrax bacteria produce extremely lethal spores, and breathing in large numbers can lead to inhalation anthrax — a disease that usually is fatal unless treated with large doses of a penicillin-type antibiotic immediately after exposure.
Why are biological weapons used in war?
They may be used in several ways to gain strategic or tactical over adversaries, threats and deployments. This type of warfare for offensive purposes was outlawed in 1972, and the treaty that outlawed the practice was ratified by 170 nations. Also, the Geneva Protocol of 1925 prohibits the utilization of biological weapons.
What are the disadvantages of biological warfare class 4?
4. Its biological agents are “live” in nature. One huge disadvantage of biological warfare concerns the “live” nature of the biological agents used. The weapons explode once, kill hundreds of people and maim thousands of others, but the agents are still active spreading their effects further across a country or even a continent.
What is the best biological warfare agent?
The agent of choice for most biological warfare programs, writes Block, is anthrax. Anthrax bacteria produce extremely lethal spores, and breathing in large numbers can lead to inhalation anthrax — a disease that usually is fatal unless treated with large doses of a penicillin-type antibiotic immediately after exposure.