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Biological warfare agents are a unique type of weapons that is actually a living organism. Fungi, bacteria, viruses, and other macromolecules, which are capable of killing, are considered agents of biological war. When comparing equivalent amounts of biological and chemical warfare agents, the biological agent is far more potent. They are particularly dangerous since they can reproduce overtime causing the situation to become more deadly with time. In fact, is estimated that 1 gram of toxin could kill 10 million people. The use of biological weapons can be dated back to the 14 th century, when plague-infested bodies were thrown into a Russian enemy camp.
Later, the English giving them infested blankets infected Native Americans with small pox. The only extensive biological attack was on China from Japan this was during the 1930 s and 1940 s. During this attack Japan dropped plague and bacteria on several cities causing multiple outbreaks. There has only been one large-scale attack by terrorists with biological warfare, this occurred in 1984 when they dispersed salmonella in salad bars, no fatalities resulted.
A biological wars possibility of occurring is very realistic. Currently, at least seventeen countries have, or are developing biological warfare. These countries are China, Taiwan, North & South Korea, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Iran, Cuba, Israel, former Soviet States, USA, Laos, Cuba, South Africa, China, Bulgaria, and Japan. The likelihood of biological war is reasonable since the production of biological warfare agents does not require specialized equipment or advanced technology and small amounts can produce large numbers of fatalities. Also, many of the materials and equipment that are used to produce biological warfare agents are available from legitimate sources and intended for other uses. In addition, there is a legitimate market for legal products which can be produced with this equipment, i.
e. , pharmaceuticals, bio pesticides, etc. The delivery of biological agents increases the possibilities since they include aerial bombs, artillery shells. It is difficult to limit spread of biological warfare agents because of the dual-use nature of the equipment and technologies. long-range missiles, agricultural sprayers, and spray tanks carried by aircraft. Finally, the most realistic reason biological war will occur is the cost effectiveness of biological weapons. To "affect" 1 sq.
km it would cost approximately $ 2000 using conventional weapons, $ 800 using nuclear weapons, $ 600 using chemical weapons, and $ 1. 00 using biologics. In conclusion, the chances of biological war have been growing, despite the Biological Weapons Convention in 1972. This treaty prohibits the development production, and stockpiling of biological weapons. However, since the treaty was signed the number ballooned especially with the occurrence in 1980, when the Soviet Union was caught with illegal biological warfare. Bottom line, it is crucial to our well being as a species to prevent all forms of biological warfare. Literature Cited Biohazard Symbol. [Online Image] Available.
web April 18, 2001. Biological Warfare. [Online] Available web e 3. html. April 18, 2001. Chemical and Biological Warfare. Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe 2000 CD-ROM. (1999).
Redmond WA: Microsoft Corporation. Hazardous Materials Page. [Online Images] Available. web April 18, 2001. Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare. [Online] Available web contents. html. April 18, 2001.
The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention Main Page. [Online] Available. web April 18, 2001.
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Research essay sample on Biological Warfare Agents Chemical And Biological
