History of Biological Warfare

Running Head : Biological Warfare

History of Biological Warfare

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History of Biological Warfare

Introduction

Biological warfare , also called germ warfare is the use of bacteria toxins , virus or harmful organism by the military as weapons of war against the enemy . This means that a small quantity of these microorganisms have the capability to kill millions of people if spread evenly and effectively . These biological weapons can also cause sickness to enemy soldiers and disrupt enemy 's logistics and supply lines Although biological warfare

as such has hitherto not taken place on a large scale , yet assuming and apprehending its probable occurrence , many nations have built their individual defensive strategies to be on the safe side . On the basis of this assumption and probability , much research for the purpose of defense against biological weapons has been conducted by the scientists , highly sensitive industries and the governments . But since carrying out germ-warfare against humanity or using harmful bacteria or organism against human beings was considered entirely inhumane , an international treaty banning biological weapons came into force in 1975 . By virtue of this treaty , production possession , and use of such weapons were completely prohibited . More than 150 nations signed this treaty

Deadly Forms of Warfare in History

The origin of biological warfare is traced back in ancient times , when the Assyrians , in 6th century B .C poisoned enemy wells with poisonous herbs (eukaryotes or fungi ) that cused the enemy lose sanity or consciousness . This was the starting point of biological warfare in human history . Thence onward this typical warfare was used by many in the past e .g . Solon of Athens poisoned the water supply of Phocaea with extremely poisonous herb Veratrum , during his city 's siege the archers of Scythian , during 4th century B .C . poisoned the tips of arrows to cause infection into the wounds of enemy the Spartans used sulfur during the Peloponnesian War in 400 B .C . In medieval times , soldiers used to throw dead bodies into the wells . During the Indian-French wars in1689 and 1763 , blankets used by smallpox patients were given to Indians for carrying the disease to the latter

It was Germany , which , during World War I , used poisonous gas for the first time against Allied forces at Belgium and Ypres . The use of poisonous gas by Germany caused about 30 percent of casualties suffered by the US army . The use of poisonous gas proved so fatal and devastating in nature that many nations unanimously agreed to ban the use of gas and extremely harmful chemical substances in future wars . But again it was Iraq which breached the agreement and used chemical weapons against Iran in eight years long war (1980-1988 . Iraq was also held responsible for using chemical weapons against the independence seeking Kurdish people

Relatively New Forms of Warfare

Some of the new forms of warfare that have lately engaged nations in the design , technique and art of modern warfare include

Chemical Warfare

Biological Warfare

Radiological Warfare

Mine Warfare...