Why worry about biological and chemical weapons now?
The attacks on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon focussed attention on so-called “asymetric” threats to the developed world, which translates as small but deadly assaults that bypass confrontation with large and powerful units such as the army. Soon after, anthrax spores began to appear in letters addressed to prominent American political or media figures. Some now fear that chemical or biological weapons could be used in densely populated areas to create death and destruction on a massive scale. What is the difference between chemical and biological weapons Chemical weapons – often referred to as gases – suffocate the victim or cause massive burning. Biological weapons are slower acting, spreading a disease such as anthrax or smallpox through a population before the first signs are noticed. Do terrorists have these weapons? Quite possibly. Chemical weapons were banned from use in war in 1925 – an agreement on biological weapons followed in 1972 – but many countries continued to rese
Related Questions
- Since many chemical and biological weapons are difficult to detect, won’t it be too late for me to save my life by putting on my gas mask or respirator once I’ve become aware of the threat?
- Has Iraq produced mass quantities of chemical and biological weapons?
- Does that mean they now have chemical and biological weapons?
