Chemical and Biological Weaponry :: Biological Warfare Nuclear Weapons Ethics Essays

Chemical and Biological ordnanceIntroduction A Modern Day Trojan HorseAlthough the gasbag resembled a letter from a fourth grade student, the contents turn to to Senator Tom Daschle were life threatening. Laced within the envelope was a spurt of the bacteria known as Bacillus Anthracis, bacteria more commonly known as anthrax. When exposed to humans, an anthrax infection leads to the release of toxins, which if non properly treated are fatal (cnn.com). Around the same clock of Senator Daschles threat, other cases of anthrax exposure were publicized. Just like that, chemical and biologic weapons system worry the minds of the public. Some call much(prenominal) weapons the silly mans atomic bomb its construction cheaper and effects potentially as far-reaching and devastating. The ability to manufacture chemical or biological threats is relatively much easier and its availability more widespread that nuclear weapons. Because of this, many guess any future terrorist attacks might be done with biological weapons equal to anthrax. Though seemingly a new threat, similar weaponry has been the depicted object of debate for decades. This motif discusses the subject of many of those debates, the ethical implications of its use and development.To clarify, biological warfare is the intentional use of disease-causing microorganisms or other entities that can flex themselves (e.g., viruses, infectious nucleic acids and prions) against humans, animals or plants for hostile purposes (Adam Rotfeld, SIPRI Fact Sheet, page 1). Furthermore, it may similarly involve the use of toxins virulent substances produced by living organismsplantsand animals. If they are apply for warfare purpose, the synthetically manufactured counterparts of these toxins are biological weapons (Rotfeld 1). Delivery of such substances can be as easy as sending it via mail, as in the anthrax example, or as sophisticated as attach a chemical warhead onto a missile. Other possible heart of delivery include introducing a substance to a water tag on or through air dispersal in the form of gas. This paper will use the terms biological weapons and chemical weapons interchangeably.A outline History of UseAs far back as the sixth century BC, warring nations have been involved with the use of biological weaponry (Henry Hardy, Biological Weapons FAQ). Despite its long history, it is perhaps best to look at more recent events. With the better understanding of disease in the twentieth century, various forms of chemical and biological weaponry emerged. During World War I, poisonous gases were used (Nicholas Fotion, Military Ethics, page 73) in addition to anthrax applications by German operatives (Rotfeld, 2).