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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1946 1946]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1946 1946]

==Definition==

==Definition==

*1: The use of [[disease]]-producing [[microorganisms]], [[toxic]] biological products, or organic biocides to cause [[death]] or [[injury]] to [[humans]], [[animals]], or [[plants]].

*1: The use of [[disease]]-producing [[microorganisms]], [[toxic]] biological products, or organic biocides to cause [[death]] or [[injury]] to [[humans]], [[animals]], or [[plants]].

<center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Biological Warfare''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Biological_Warfare '''''this link'''''].</center>

<center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Biological Warfare''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Biological_Warfare '''''this link'''''].</center>

==Description==

==Description==

'''Biological warfare''' (BW) — also known as ''[[germ]] warfare'' — is the use of biological [[toxins]] or infectious agents such as [[bacteria]], [[viruses]], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungus fungi] with intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of [[war]]. Biological weapons (often termed "bio-weapons", "biological threat agents", or "bio-agents") are living organisms or replicating entities ([[viruses]]) that reproduce or replicate within their host [[victims]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entomological_warfare Entomological (insect) warfare] is also considered a type of Biological Weapon.

'''Biological warfare''' (BW) — also known as ''[[germ]] warfare'' — is the use of biological [[toxins]] or infectious agents such as [[bacteria]], [[viruses]], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungus fungi] with intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of [[war]]. Biological weapons (often termed "bio-weapons", "biological threat agents", or "bio-agents") are living organisms or replicating entities ([[viruses]]) that reproduce or replicate within their host [[victims]]. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entomological_warfare Entomological (insect) warfare] is also considered a type of Biological Weapon.

Biological weapons may be employed in various ways to gain a strategic or tactical [[advantage]] over an [[adversary]], either by threats or by actual deployments. Like some of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_weapons chemical weapons], biological weapons may also be useful as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_denial_weapons area denial weapons]. These agents may be lethal or non-lethal, and may be targeted against a single [[individual]], a [[group]] of people, or even an entire [[population]]. They may be developed, acquired, stockpiled or deployed by [[nation]] states or by non-national groups. In the latter case, or if a nation-state uses it [[clandestinely]], it may also be considered [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioterrorism bioterrorism].

Biological weapons may be employed in various ways to gain a strategic or tactical [[advantage]] over an [[adversary]], either by threats or by actual deployments. Like some of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_weapons chemical weapons], biological weapons may also be useful as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_denial_weapons area denial weapons]. These agents may be lethal or non-lethal, and may be targeted against a single [[individual]], a [[group]] of people, or even an entire [[population]]. They may be developed, acquired, stockpiled or deployed by [[nation]] states or by non-national groups. In the latter case, or if a nation-state uses it [[clandestinely]], it may also be considered [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioterrorism bioterrorism].

There is an overlap between BW and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_warfare chemical warfare], as the use of toxins produced by living [[organisms]] is considered under the provisions of both the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_Weapons_Convention Biological Weapons Convention] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_Weapons_Convention Chemical Weapons Convention]. Toxins and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychochemical_weapons Psychochemical weapons] are often referred to as ''midspectrum agents''. Unlike bioweapons, these midspectrum agents do not reproduce in their host and are typically characterized by shorter incubation periods.

There is an overlap between BW and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_warfare chemical warfare], as the use of toxins produced by living [[organisms]] is considered under the provisions of both the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_Weapons_Convention Biological Weapons Convention] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_Weapons_Convention Chemical Weapons Convention]. Toxins and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychochemical_weapons Psychochemical weapons] are often referred to as ''midspectrum agents''. Unlike bioweapons, these midspectrum agents do not reproduce in their host and are typically characterized by shorter incubation periods.

Offensive biological warfare, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_production mass production], stockpiling and use of biological weapons, was outlawed by the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). The rationale behind this treaty, which has been ratified or acceded to by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_parties_to_the_Biological_Weapons_Convention 165 countries] as of 2011, is to prevent a biological attack which could conceivably result in large numbers of civilian fatalities and cause severe disruption to [[economic]] and [[societal]] [[infrastructure]]. Many countries, including signatories of the BWC, currently pursue research into the defense or protection against BW, which is not prohibited by the BWC.

Offensive biological warfare, including [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_production mass production], stockpiling and use of biological weapons, was outlawed by the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). The rationale behind this treaty, which has been ratified or acceded to by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_parties_to_the_Biological_Weapons_Convention 165 countries] as of 2011, is to prevent a biological attack which could conceivably result in large numbers of civilian fatalities and cause severe disruption to [[economic]] and [[societal]] [[infrastructure]]. Many countries, including signatories of the BWC, currently pursue research into the defense or protection against BW, which is not prohibited by the BWC.

A nation or group that can pose a credible threat of mass casualty has the [[ability]] to alter the terms on which other nations or groups [[interact]] with it. Biological weapons allow for the [[potential]] to create a level of destruction and loss of [[life]] far in excess of nuclear, chemical or conventional weapons, relative to their mass and cost of development and storage. Therefore, biological agents may be useful as strategic deterrents in addition to their utility as offensive [[weapons]] on the battlefield.

A nation or group that can pose a credible threat of mass casualty has the [[ability]] to alter the terms on which other nations or groups [[interact]] with it. Biological weapons allow for the [[potential]] to create a level of destruction and loss of [[life]] far in excess of nuclear, chemical or conventional weapons, relative to their mass and cost of development and storage. Therefore, biological agents may be useful as strategic deterrents in addition to their utility as offensive [[weapons]] on the battlefield.

As a tactical weapon for military use, a significant problem with a BW attack is that it would take days to be effective, and therefore might not immediately stop an opposing force. Some biological agents (smallpox, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumonic_plague pneumonic plague]) have the capability of person-to-person transmission via aerosolized [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmission_(medicine)#Droplet_Contact respiratory droplets]. This feature can be undesirable, as the agent(s) may be transmitted by this [[mechanism]] to unintended [[populations]], including neutral or even friendly forces. While containment of BW is less of a concern for certain criminal or [[terrorist]] [[organizations]], it remains a significant concern for the [[military]] and civilian [[populations]] of virtually all nations.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_warfare]

As a tactical weapon for military use, a significant problem with a BW attack is that it would take days to be effective, and therefore might not immediately stop an opposing force. Some biological agents (smallpox, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumonic_plague pneumonic plague]) have the capability of person-to-person transmission via aerosolized [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmission_(medicine)#Droplet_Contact respiratory droplets]. This feature can be undesirable, as the agent(s) may be transmitted by this [[mechanism]] to unintended [[populations]], including neutral or even friendly forces. While containment of BW is less of a concern for certain criminal or [[terrorist]] [[organizations]], it remains a significant concern for the [[military]] and civilian [[populations]] of virtually all nations.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_warfare]

[[Category: Biology]]

[[Category: Biology]]