Natalie Davis-Lopez

Cowan
Human bio 1010
4A
Biological Weapons
Throughout the years of humanity and the developmental rise of advanced forms of
combat. There has never been so much a threat such as genetically engineered weapons
aimed to alter the enemy on a physical level. Bio weapons have been used throughout the ages
getting more and more advanced as they began to lengthen and deepen the amount of damage
plausible to the victim. Bioweapons also called germ weapons are described as any number of
disease producing agents such as bacteria, viruses, rickettsiae, fungi, toxins, or any other
biological agents that may be utilized as weapons against life forms. They are also described as
weapons of mass destruction, though they dont cause destruction but rather cause mass
deaths.
The history of bioweapons dates back to 300BC where Romans, Greeks, and Persians
gave accounts of using dead animals to contaminate water. Then it circulated to the 12th
century where Barbarossa used the dead bodies of his men to poison wells. In the 18th century
during the French and Indian war british soldiers gave Native Americans blankets infected with
smallpox. And in more recent accounts incidents in World war I and II also showed accounts of
the development of biological weapons to use during the war. Yet after the issue was addressed
the Geneva protocol was created and signed by 108 nations. It prohibited the use of
bioweapons. Then shortly after bioweapons were used during the vietnam war as soldier were
being infected with needles that contained animal fecal matter. As of 2013 the treaty was signed
and now contains 180 signatures from different states. With regulations and terms decided by
the BWC (Biological weapons convention).
Although bioweapons arent used anymore the advancements are still occurring.
Researchers are continuing to make the transition from DNA sequencing to DNA synthesising
which will allow for the creation of novel pathogens. Genetically engineered pathogens, could
be safer to handle and distribute,says Dr. Steven Block a biological warfare expert. The
accessibility to DNA synthesis, computational power and information will give anybody the
capability to create a biological weapon. Since scientists have been able to transform the 4
letters of DNA into a binary code it enables engineering of a chemical weapon, to be nothing
more than an electronic manipulation. A crude but effective terrorist weapon can be made using
a small sample of any number of widely available pathogens, inexpensive equipment, and
college level chemistry and biology,says Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
As advancements occur and the pros of bioweapons become more apparent. People are
beginning to ask what are the advantages and disadvantages of having bioweapons. Firstly the
pros which are the effectiveness of it, seeing as it can be made highly potent. Giving only a few
drops it has the power to wipe out millions. It is also cheap and easy to make as stated in the

previous paragraph. And lastly it is easy to distribute, ending threats quickly and effectively.
Some cons are that it can wipe out an entire population, its not 100% effective because some
might be naturally immune. The most relevant con is that it may be unpredictable it could affect
others that it isnt intended to. A prime example is a 70 year old chinese man named Jiang Chun
Geng who was infected by a Bioweapon left in Dachen village 70 years ago by a Japanese
military group called Unit 731.They orchestrated mass use of germ weapon during World War II.
They never go away,They just get drier. Sometimes they hurt less(Geng, 2010). 15 other
villagers and him are left with legs covered in flesh eating ulcers due to the use of bioweapons.
Twice the size of his left leg, the limb is tender to the touch (Jing Jun, 2010). Showing that not
only is the enemy impacted but the citizens are the ones who mainly suffer.
The most prominent leaders of each side of the argument are the ISU which are a
support unit that encourages the disarmament of any use of bioweapons universally. They were
appointed by the BWC the original creators of the treaty to stop use of bioweapons. Yet some
see the use of bioweapons as a source for other discoveries. Some geneticists believe creating
novel pathogens will help us advance agriculturally and medically. Yet some fear it could be
misused and create pandemonium. There hasnt been any usage of biological weapons lately
but during World War I and II the idea was fairly popular amongst enemy countries and
ourselves. Bio weapons have now become an unfathomable concept and arent likely to be
used now that new technologies have risen.
The severity of the issue is a 10 I believe it is dire that we maintain the policy of no
bioweapons. I dont think that scientists realize what is at stake if they make a mistake. If the pro
side gets their way they could create a specimen that could quite possibly wipe out the whole
population off the face of the earth. They would have the benefit of cheap and easily storable
weapons. They would also have an advantage over enemies. But they could also make a
weapon and it could be turned against them if the wrong person got ahold of it. If we began to
make bio weapons it gives leeway for others to start developing their own. I believe it would
create a chain reaction throughout the world. Much like the atomic bomb did when other
countries begun to feel vulnerable and began trying to create their own.
While on the cons side of the argument we could miss out on a lot of technological
advances. But we would be able to feel secure knowing that there wasnt any possibility of us
ending our time on earth by our own hand. We could also take our focus away from bioweapons
and focus on another type of defense mechanism. Allowing for the creation of something more
proficient and reliable. But what stops other countries from developing their own. Some might
argue that it would leave us defenseless. It would leave us with a huge gape of attack, that if we
dont study we could be left vulnerable.Most argue that bioweapons dont have any pros and I
agree. But I also believe it depends on the situation. They have some pros but most compliment
the government and what would aid them. While the cons agree that we need to think about the
wellbeing of all of us, considering the citizens are usually the ones that are most impacted.

Works Cited

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