Biological And Chemical Weapons

The military use of chemicals, bacteria, viruses, toxins, or poisons to injure or kill soldiers or civilians is called chemical and biological warfare. The means by which the harmful substances are delivered to the enemy are called chemical and biological weapons. Formerly, the use of smoke, flares, flamethrowers, napalm, and the like was considered to be chemical warfare, but now the term is generally limited to the use of toxic agents on the battlefield. Small countries may see biological and chemical weapons as a way to even the odds against enemies with better conventional arms. Once unleashed, however, chemical and biological agents are not easily confined to the battlefield. Their control and regulation have prompted international concern. Biological and toxin weapons are either microorganisms like virus, bacteria or fungi, or toxic substances produced by living organisms that are produced and released deliberately to cause disease and death in humans, animals or plants. Biological agents like anthrax, botulinum toxin and plague can pose a difficult public health challenge causing large numbers of deaths in a short amount of time. Biological agents which are capable of secondary transmission can lead to epidemics. An attack involving a biological agent may mimic a natural event, which may complicate the public health assessment and response. In case of war and conflict, high-threat pathogens laboratories can be targeted, which might lead to serious public health consequences. Biological and Chemical Weapons sheds light on a vital issue with a balanced range of opinions from researchers, journalists, weapons experts and politicians.
Contents
Introduction • Biological Weapons Convention • Chemical Weapons and Warfare • Biological and Chemical Warfare • Coronavirus is a Biological Warfare Weapon • Role of Biological, Chemical and Nuclear Weapons in Chinese Defence Posture
Dr. Manohar Bisht, Ph.D.in Political Science, currently working as an Associate Professor, Deptt.of Political Science at Rewati Raman Das College Ramnagar. He has specialisation in International Relation, published numerous articles on various current international topics. He has indeed indepth knowledge about his subject. He has edited more than thirty books. He has attended so many seminars to enumerate.