Biological Weapons

Paper Summary:

This paper traces the origins and history of biological weapons, especially in the United States. In knowing its history, this research also looks into the development of technology as one of the precursors that helped "develop" and proliferate the creation of microorganisms that can destroy not only the human body, but the Earth's physical environment as well. Furthermore, the use of biological weapons as an alternative for weapons in the act of terrorism and as a means to destroy another nation or society is also studied and analyzed, thereby putting the production of biological weapons in its socio-political context. Classifications of biological weapons presently produced are also identified. Lastly, measures and policies formulated to encourage and promote non-proliferation of biological weapons, a socio-political issue, is also tackled.

From the Paper:

"The origin and history of biological weapons can be traced as far back as the 14th century, where plague epidemics become biological weapons used by conquerors in order to easily overpower other nations/societies. In American history, biological weapons use is evident in the use of the smallpox disease as a way for the French and British forces to defeat the Native Americans, original inhabitants of the US territory, in the 18th century (Lederberg, 1999:18-9). Biological weaponry has become more developed in the 20th century, during the First World War, when Germany used "wind-blown chlorine" as a weapon to physically weaken the enemy's army forces. Germany's use of chlorine later developed to phosgene to mustard gas, attacking the skin and lungs of its victims, proving itself to be a pervasive form of biological weapon, since gas masks proved to be "ineffective" protection to this biological weapon (Falkenrath, 1998)."

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