Military use of Biological Weapons
Military use of biological weapons
“Biological weapons amount to no more than “weapons of mass disruption” (Introduction to Biological Weapons). Biological weapons are toxic materials taken from pathogens
(bacteria), host or target. These can be put in something as simple as a letter, in an envelope, or something as complex as a missile containing the materials inside. The military should not use biological weapons because the U.S. doesn’t have the funds to protect the country, they are very unreliable, and they can backfire on the user.
Biological weapons are easy to make and are found all over the world.
However, the lack of knowledge about biological weapons is a factor why they are not successful. “Terrorists have been unable to launch widespread biological attacks due to lack of knowledge” (Bob Graham and Matt Korade). People who have not studied in biology won’t know how to successfully use a biological weapon. This can result in it failing.
Biological weapons are very unreliable. They are not always used right when picking a specific pathogen (bacteria) because some are not as lethal as others to humans. “There was an attack with biological weapons in Tokyo…. But they had selected an inappropriate type of the pathogen that they were using, and it was not as lethal as it could have been” (Bob Graham and Matt Korade). The biological weapon will not harm the intended target if the right pathogen is not selected. This poses a problem for the user because the reliability of it will decrease. With regards to the type of pathogen, users also need to worry about the scale. “A single scientist at Fort Detrick sent a series of letters [containing
Anthrax] to journalists and politicians resulting in several deaths and a number of serious illnesses. If that one scientist was working with 99 others, it would have been a much more significant event” (Bob Graham and Matt Korade). Biological weapons rely a lot on the scale. It is a
“Biological weapons amount to no more than “weapons of mass disruption” (Introduction to Biological Weapons). Biological weapons are toxic materials taken from pathogens
(bacteria), host or target. These can be put in something as simple as a letter, in an envelope, or something as complex as a missile containing the materials inside. The military should not use biological weapons because the U.S. doesn’t have the funds to protect the country, they are very unreliable, and they can backfire on the user.
Biological weapons are easy to make and are found all over the world.
However, the lack of knowledge about biological weapons is a factor why they are not successful. “Terrorists have been unable to launch widespread biological attacks due to lack of knowledge” (Bob Graham and Matt Korade). People who have not studied in biology won’t know how to successfully use a biological weapon. This can result in it failing.
Biological weapons are very unreliable. They are not always used right when picking a specific pathogen (bacteria) because some are not as lethal as others to humans. “There was an attack with biological weapons in Tokyo…. But they had selected an inappropriate type of the pathogen that they were using, and it was not as lethal as it could have been” (Bob Graham and Matt Korade). The biological weapon will not harm the intended target if the right pathogen is not selected. This poses a problem for the user because the reliability of it will decrease. With regards to the type of pathogen, users also need to worry about the scale. “A single scientist at Fort Detrick sent a series of letters [containing
Anthrax] to journalists and politicians resulting in several deaths and a number of serious illnesses. If that one scientist was working with 99 others, it would have been a much more significant event” (Bob Graham and Matt Korade). Biological weapons rely a lot on the scale. It is a
Cited: Bob Graham and Matt Korade, "WMD Commission Head: Biological Agents Remain Greatest Risk," CQ Homeland Security, November 4, 2009. Copyright © 2009 by CQ Roll Call Group.Reproduced by permission via Copyright Clearance Center. "Introduction to Biological Weapons: Contemporary Issues Companion." Biological Weapons. Ed. Clay Farris Naff. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Contemporary Issues Companion. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 28 Oct. 2011. Tara O 'Toole, Testimony Before the US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, October 23, 2007. Reprinted by permission.