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Biological Weapons in the World

Biological weapons use bacteria, viruses, or toxins to deliberately cause disease and death in people, animals, or plants.
They are banned by international law, but concerns remain about their use and proliferation.

History and Use

• Biological warfare dates back centuries, with early examples like the Mongols catapulting plague-infected corpses in 1347[6].
• In the 20th century, Japan used biological weapons in China during World War II, causing mass casualties[1][2].
• The U.S. and Soviet Union developed large bioweapons programs during the Cold War, but both later agreed to destroy their stockpiles[4].

Common Biological Agents

• Bacteria: Anthrax, plague, tularemia
• Viruses: Smallpox, Ebola, Marburg
• Toxins: Botulinum toxin, ricin

Current Global Concerns

Countries suspected of having or developing biological weapons:
China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Syria, possibly Cuba[4][5][6].

• Programs can be hidden as vaccine or pharmaceutical plants[6].
• Bioweapons are cheaper to produce than nuclear arms, making them attractive to some regimes[6].
• International treaties like the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) exist, but enforcement and verification are weak[1][4][6].

Risks and Response

• Bioweapons can cause mass casualties, panic, and disrupt societies.
• Vaccines and rapid public health response are key to reducing impact, but not all threats have available vaccines[4].
• Ongoing research aims to improve detection, prevention, and treatment.

Last updated: June 19, 2025