Biological Weapons and Germ Warfare History

Biological Weapons

Weapons using pathogens to cause harm or death.

American Type Culture Collection

Repository of biological samples in Manassas, VA.

Bacillus anthracis

Bacteria causing anthrax, a lethal disease.

Respiratory Anthrax

Severe inhalation illness from anthrax spores.

Cutaneous Anthrax

Skin infection from anthrax, less deadly.

Gastrointestinal Anthrax

Infection from contaminated meat, more dangerous than cutaneous.

Bioweapons Delivery Systems

Methods like bombs and sprays to disperse pathogens.

Richard Nixon

US President who renounced biological weapons in 1969.

Biological Weapons Convention

1972 treaty banning biological weapons, over 100 countries signed.

Unit 731

Japanese Army unit that pioneered germ warfare in WWII.

Fort Detrick

Primary US facility for biological weapons research.

Soviet Bioweapons Facility

Found in Kazakhstan, built during the Cold War.

Contagious Diseases

Diseases like smallpox spread from person to person.

TNT vs. Bioweapons

TNT causes immediate destruction; bioweapons cause delayed mass casualties.

Bioweapons Knowledge Risk

Unemployed Soviet scientists may sell expertise to terrorists.

Genetic Engineering

Advances enabling creation of drug-resistant pathogens.

Weaponizing Agents

Stabilizing pathogens for effective dispersal and lethality.

Ideal Particle Size

1-5 microns for effective inhalation and dispersion.

Dry Bio-Weapon

Longer shelf life but harder to produce.

Electrostatic Charge

Affects airborne stability of bio-weapon particles.

Anthrax Powder 2001

Highly refined powder indicating advanced lab production.

Smallpox Limitations

Difficult to control, long incubation, mutation risks.

Foodborne Bioweapon

Salmonella used in the 1984 Oregon attack.

US Bioweapons Policy

Developed but did not use bioweapons.

Soviet Bioweapons Development

Secretive and advanced programs violating treaties.

Soviet Techniques

Used genetic engineering and aerosol testing for bioweapons.

Synthetic Bio-Weapon

Engineered to bypass immunity, lethal to vaccinated animals.

Designer Bugs

Unlikely for terrorists due to complexity.

Oldie-Moldies

Conventional bioweapons like anthrax, easier to use.

Post-9/11 Drills

Exposed weaknesses in US bioterrorism preparedness.

Current Germ Warfare Combat

Surveillance, vaccine stockpiling, detection technology improvements.