Biological and Germ Weapons

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the book "Germs" that reviews recent history and threats of biological or germ weapons. The paper states that biological weapons are an increased threat in today's world where terrorists are the likely enemy rather than recognized foreign governments and the risks of biological attacks are greater since knowledge of these weapons is commonplace and germ technology is an affordable alternative to nuclear weapons. The author concludes, given that we now live in the world predicted by the authors, the book seems redundant even though it was published in 2001.

From the Paper:

"Recent times have seen the increase in the virility and willingness to use biological weapons. Chapter one outlines the first use in 1984 of a biological weapon against Americans on American soil. An imported religious cult, who called themselves Sannyasins, poisoned townspeople in Oregon by spreading salmonella over foods in local salad bars. The following chapters outline how weapons programs in post World War II Russia and the United States developed biological agents of increasing power and potency. Technological advances in the understanding of DNA and genetic engineering took germ weapons to new levels of sophistication, each superpower trying to outpace the other."

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