Introduction to Biodefense

Biodefense is a broad term that encompasses not only biological weapons but chemical ones too. The difference being that chemical weapons are not naturally occurring but are created, biological weapons on the other hand are viruses and bacteria that inflict disease among people and typically can be found in nature. FAS is a great source when looking for information on this topic. Here are a few brief examples of what can be found.

Chemical weapons have been a fairly recent development with their creation and use beginning during the First World War. The weapon of choice at that point was a “gas” such as tear or mustard; even phosgene and chlorine were implemented.  Chemical weapons were heavily utilized during WWI but after the Geneva Protocol was adopted their use was minimal. Most of the R&D for these types of weapons has focused more on the delivery system then increasing the toxicity. Sarin is one example of a chemical nerve agent; it is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, man-made chemical. Cyanide is an example of a blood agent that can either be a solid, or a gas (which is its most lethal form).

The use of biological weapons on the other hand dates back as early as the 12^th century when the Hittites drove diseased animals and people into enemy territory. The Mongols catapulted bodies infected with the plague into cites they seized and British soldiers gave blankets contaminated with small pox to Native Americans during the Pontiac’s War. Another branch of biological weapons are toxins which are non-living agents but come from living organisms such as mandrake root or roots of the hellebore plant.

Regulating bioweapons began with the Geneva Protocol in 1925, where the first control placed on biological weapons forbade their use in warfare. The BTWC or Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention took place in 1972 and since then the document has been open for States to sign and ratify. These States have agreed not to produce biological weapons and other toxins.  Since then there has been much discussion on potential dual use research and many safeguards put into place. For more information check out FAS’s Biosecurity Program and check Twitter and Facebook for more “Did you Know?”

A Brief Nuclear History

The United States was the first country to develop the atomic bomb in 1945. They are the only country to date that has utilized it in combat. While the U.S. was the first to get the atomic bomb they definitely were not the last. After the detonation of the bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki a nuclear age had begun and other countries completed development of their own nuclear weapons. Russia was the first to do so after the U.S. which would later lead to the Cold War between the two.

 In 1945 after the bombs were dropped the Federation of Atomic Scientists was founded by many of the scientists who built the first atomic bomb, such as Hans Bethe, on the basis that scientists and engineers have the ethical responsibility to ensure that their ideas and developments are applied to the benefit of humankind. The organization was changed to the Federation of American Scientists in 1946 where they advocated for the U.S. nuclear

program to be controlled by civilians and not the government. After strong advocacy by FAS and with the support of other groups the McMahon bill or the Atomic Energy Act was signed, which created a civilian agency to support research in nuclear physics. This Act also created an avenue for the development of peaceful nuclear projects such as the generation of energy.  

Throughout the years both the U.S. and Russia performed nuclear tests but both came under significant pressure to end testing in the early 60s. In 1968 the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was signed. The NPT acknowledged five nuclear weapons states who said they would not transfer any nuclear, weapons, explosives, or technologies to non-nuclear-weapons states.  While the treaty helps limit the spread of nuclear weapons, the new focus is to disarm instead of just regulate.  While the ultimate goal would be total disarmament, it does not seem to be feasible at this point in time. However, there have been a number of treaties that have moved closer to this goal, such as the START I treaty and most recently the New START Treaty.

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