Biological Weapons: Could Smallpox Be Used as a Weapon - Research Paper Example

Download file to see previous pages Smallpox was proved to be the most lethal of all viruses that could be used as a biological weapon and hence a study on the use and impacts of smallpox virus has been presented through the study. Introduction: Biological weapons can be understood to be such microorganisms, that if can be placed in a targeted host body, are capable of infecting the body and developing thus killing the target body or putting the body out of action. Such weapons might also be biologically derived bioactive substances that can injure the host that is targeted. Also, biological-mimicking substances can be designed artificially that are capable of duplicating the performances of actual micro-organic substances and targeted on an enemy depending on the need, for example in war (Microbiology 101 Internet Text, Chapter XV, Addendum: Biological Weapons; Malignant Biology, 2000). This report focuses on the use of biological weapons and tries to learn whether small pox can be used as a biological weapon. Biological Weapons and Their Use: Biological weapons are known to play two different roles. They can be used in the production of different vaccines that might be capable of struggling against dreadful diseases. On the other hand, such weapons can be used in the warfare or terrorist attacks to kill individuals by inflicting them through the introduction of such weapons in their bodies. These weapons are primarily intended to be used in biological warfare that makes the use of biological weapons intentionally. This involves planting of micro-organisms, or other microbial toxins that can produce diseases, within the body of an individual who is the target to be killed (DaSilva, 1999). The attraction of different states and terrorists towards the use of biological weapons has been enhanced with the easy availability of the biological instruments or weapons which is accompanied by the lower costs of producing them. Moreover these are easy to be transported from one place to another and are also not easily detected by the prevailing systems of security. Growing numbers of countries are making use of biological weapons in their warfare and attacks made by the terrorists (DaSilva, 1999). The growing nature of the use of biological weapons reflect the challenges encountered by the biological security systems thus leading to the development of the threats caused by the formation of the dreadful biological weapons inflicting deadly diseases and killing masses of people (Fidler & Gostin, 2008, p.23). There is a huge availability of the biological components that can be used in the creation of biological weapons. However, the use of biological weapon requires the willing state or the terrorist to meet certain criteria. These include selection of the biological instrument, getting hold of it, weaponizing it and finally circulation of the agent. Since the accomplishments of these steps is not an easy task, the process communicates the fact that the manufacture and use of biological weapon require efficient resources, skill and expertise in the use of technology, political support as well as a proper infrastructure. Some of the biological agents that can be used in the formation of biological weapons include anthrax, plague bacteria, viruses of hemorrhagic fever and others. However, all these biological instruments have proved to have some negative aspects and hence were found to be difficult in achieving the goals of preparing biological weapons. In the present scenario the most dangerous biological agent that has proved to be successful in formation of biological weapons is the virus of smallpox (Fidler & Gostin, 2008, pp.33-36) the use of which is discussed in the following section. Use of Smallpox as ...Download file to see next pagesRead More