Biological Weapons

*For detailed and up to date information see the United Nations Office in Geneva

History of Biological Weapons

Biological warfare is war involving the use of a living organism as a weapon of war. Compared to chemical weapons, biological weapons are far more deadly. Just a small amount of biological agent could do as much damage as a chemical weapon thousands to times bigger.
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Who has Biological Weapons

Despite the signing of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), it is very difficult to get independent verification on who has biological weapons. Certainly the United States believes that about 17 countries still possess them. They include Russia, Israel, Egypt, China, Iran, Libya, Syria and North Korea.
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Effects of Biological Weapons

Infectious diseases have, of course, been with us throughout our history. They have the capability to kill or incapacitate large numbers of people. Such a powerful force will always be of interest to the military. The idea of deliberately using the bacteria and viruses that cause the disease against an enemy seems a terrible thing to even contemplate.
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Treaties on Biological weapons

The Geneva Protocol and The Biological Weapons Convention
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New developments could violate the Biological Weapons Convention

Reports in June 2004 suggested that the United States were planning certain biological activities that some think could violate the Biological Weapons Convention. This could include developing and testing new and existing biological weapons agents.
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