The 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) was the first international treaty that enjoins nations to outlaw an entire class of weapons of mass destruction. The BWC's Article I bans the development, production, stockpiling, or other acquisition of “microbial or other biological agents, or toxins whatever their origin or method of production, of types and in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes,” as well as “weapons, equipment or means of delivery designed to use such agents or toxins for hostile purposes or in armed conflict” (http://www.un.org/disarmament/WMD/Bio/pdf/Text\_of\_the_Convention.pdf). Given that the treaty has 173 states parties and 9 signatories, most the world's countries are bound by its provisions. > Certain countries, notably the Soviet Union and Iraq, have abused the lack of verification mechanisms in the past to develop biological weapons in breach of their international obligations. In practice, however, the BWC lacks provisions for verifying that state parties comply with its strictures. Certain countries, notably the Soviet Union and Iraq, have abused the lack of verification mechanisms in the past to develop biological weapons in breach of their international obligations. Moreover, non‐state groups and individuals cannot be expected to follow the treaty's provisions. Therefore, it remains of utmost importance for all states to control the trade of sensitive equipment that can be misused to produce, process, test, and disseminate pathogens and toxins. By doing so, they are in compliance with the BWC's Article III, which forbids states parties to “transfer to any recipient whatsoever, directly or indirectly, and not in any way to assist, encourage, or induce any State, group of States or international organizations to manufacture or otherwise acquire any of the agents, toxins, weapons, equipment or means of delivery specified in Article I”. Since the BWC itself has no mechanism by which to …