Biological Warfare/Terrorism

Essay by OzIlliniCollege, UndergraduateA+, March 2002

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Biological Warfare/Terrorism

While many members of the United Nations and other countries have agreed to

forbid the use of biological weapons, several countries including terrorist groups,

continue to use these weapons to frighten whomever they are putting under attack. These

weapons have devastating effects that surpass many of the other traditional uses of

weaponry when attacking a nation or people. One great concern regarding biological

weapons leans towards the fact that many people are ignorant as to what these weapons

are and how quickly the disease-causing agent can spread from person to person. Past

events have demonstrated how catastrophic these diseases can be when unleashed on a

population and are now becoming a favorite by terrorists when it comes to choosing a

form of weaponry for an attack. We must not overlook how serious of an issue the use of

biological weapons is and prepare ourselves for something that could put the lives of

millions into jeopardy.

One of our biggest fears when at war with another country spawns from the fright

of nuclear weapons. They may be used to annihilate a vast population within seconds of

the initial blow- this does not even include all of the post-explosion deaths and injuries

resulting from the radioactivity used in such nuclear weapons. Although nuclear

weapons obviously pose an immediate and highly mortal threat against any country, the

use of biological warfare may be something that is of even greater danger. Expert Joseph

Douglass extends his fear of the damaging extent of biological warfare:

While the United States debates the development of a massive defensive effort

against nuclear attacks? the fact remains that this nation is almost entirely

defenseless against chemical, biological, and toxic weapons of mass destruction.

Some of these weapons may already be secreted within our borders; others

could be...