Biological warfare: an historical perspective

Abstract

d d f w n b a M A d b v i v t d n war, the objective is to render the opponent incapable of offering resistance. Conventionlly, this is performed by killing as many soldiers s possible through force of arms. Artillery, bulets, bombs, hand grenades, and land mines all do heir bloody duty. However, the idea that biologial material can kill more effectively and with less ffort, cost, and destruction than bullets makes it n attractive alternative weapon. Indeed, the reease of certain bacteria within the water supply of major city has been the plot of many a spy hriller. Biologic weapons are not new. Most genrals fear the use of “biologicals,” because if the onditions are right, then the biological weapon ay infect the troops unleashing the weapon upon hemselves instead of the enemy. There is also a ultural issue with the use of biologicals; a superior ulture looses them upon an inferior one. Finally, iological weapons, like nuclear ones, can contamnate the battleground for many years to come. hese weapons are ideal for terrorists, because hey strike fear into the target population. A small ial of agent, easily concealed, may be enough to ndanger an entire city. Indeed, biological weapns have made the headlines in our early twentyrst-century world. The use of biological weapons can be broken own into several different ages and categories. he Bible may contain the earliest employment of iologic weapons. Another “common” use of bioogicals, “contamination,” whereby drinking water s tainted through the use of carrion and corpses, oes back to ancient times. Specific agents, such as mallpox, anthrax, and cholera have been used