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Biological Weapons
Biological weapons are defined by the United Nations as “complex systems that disseminate disease-causing organisms or toxins to harm or kill humans, animals, or plants”. Any multitude of diseases can be used as biological weapons, such as small pox or influenza, and can be utilized in any number of ways from the elimination of a specific target to the creation of a widespread epidemic. These weapons are made up of two parts a toxin (most commonly referred to as an “agent”) and a delivery system which can range anywhere from a bomb to a spray depending on how widespread the agent is intended to be. Historically, they have been weaponized by states but, with recent advancements, they have become more easily attainable to terrorism groups and similar small scale organizations. By far one of the biggest challenges when it comes to dealing with biological weapons lays in the simple fact that it is difficult to tell whether a disease is naturally occurring or a result of a biological weapon.
Through the 20th century biological weapons were very frequently used by a number of states. However, in April of 1972 the Biological Weapons Convention was developed. This is a treaty that “bans the development, production and stockpiling” of biological weapons. It was put into action in March of 1975 with 109 signatory states. In the following years there have been a number of review conferences held to take steps to continue the disarmament of these types of weapons and outcomes of these conferences have included participating states providing status reports on provisions within the Biological Weapons Convention, an implementation unit to help states who agreed to terms, as well as the request that all participating states disclose research and advancements they have made in biological weapons.