Essay/Term paper: Chemical and biological weapons

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Biology

Chemical and Biological Weapons


Chemical and biological weapons are the most dangerous threats that our
soldiers face today. But just how much do most of us know about them? The
American public had been bombarded by stories of how our government keeps secret
weapons, does secret experiments, and the everlasting conspiracies. And many
accept it all. Rather than simply trusting our government, (which is perhaps as
foolish as believing several unsubstansiated theroies), I"ve compiled several
simple facts regarding recent and historic developments in chemical and
biological warfare.
Chemical weapons are defined as chemical substances of gas, liquid, or
solid which are used because of a directly toxic effect upon humans, animals, or
plants. Biological weapons are living organisms, whatever their nature, or the
materials that are created because of their use. Biological weapons can cause
disease or death in living organisms, and are depended upon for their further
ability to multiply inside the organism that it attacks. Even though the two
weapons are closely related, chemical weapons are used far more commonly because
they are inexpensive to make and use. Chemical weapons are more dangerous to
America because of the conflicts we have involved ourselves in. Iraq for example,
has a long and extensive history of using chemical weapons. In the 1980"s, Iraq
released poisonous gases against Iranian troops. Iraq has even used chemical
weapons against it"s own Kurdish citizens to subdue rebellions. As one of the
aftermaths of the Persian Gulf War, however, Iraq agreed to giveup all materials
and equipment for making chemical and biological weapons. An organization called
UNSCOM or United Nations Special Commissions on Iraq was formed to ensure that
Iraq followed through upon it"s promises. However, when Lt. Hussein, Saddam
Hussein"s son-in-law and director of Iraq"s weapons program, defected, it was
found that Iraq had been dishonest in it"s reports to UNSCOM. for four years.
Today, everyone has heard even a passing reference to Gulf-War Syndrome. In 1994,
a Congressional report examined eyewitness accounts and declassified operation
logs. They concluded that United States troops were exposed eleven times to
chemical and biological weapons. Yet, two other reports concluded the opposite.
The DSB and IOM reports found that there was no reliable evidence to support
that American troops were exposed to chemical or biological weaponry.
Unfortunately, Iraq is not the only nation using chemical weapons. Former CIA
director, William Webster, has revealed that nearly 20 other nations have the
chemical industry that allows them to make chemical weapons, in fact, many these
countries have even stockpiled these weapons for further use. Several nations,
including the United States, have conventional arms and nuclear weapons.
Numerous Middle Eastern nations feel that since they do not have the same
capabilities or funds, they have the right to make and use chemical weapons in
order to counter our advanced weaponry. Because of the fact that many third
world countries feel the need to make chemical weapons, it is frequently called "
the poor man"s atomic bomb."
Unlike chemical weapons, biological weapons have not been used in modern
day warfare. But in today"s technologically advanced world, genetics is quickly
becoming a threat in biological weapons. Scientists are using genetics to
develop new deadly diseases that would be used to harm an opposing country. The
new bacteria and viruses that the scientists already have the ability to develop,
could be used against hostile countries. Bacterias and viruses could be used to
kill crops and a country"s environment, thereby destroying their food supply. Or,
even more effectively, spreading deadly diseases to the country"s citizens and
soldiers. By February 14, 1970, the United States Department of Defense had been
ordered to draw up a plan to dispose of all biological agents and toxins. Sweden,
the United Kingdom, and Canada all followed the United State"s example. However,
a number of nations, including the ex-Soviet Union and it"s allies, have
actually favored concentrated international agreements on biological and
chemical weapons. These agreements would be focused upon biological and chemical
weapons control as a whole. Unfortunately, worldwide control of these weapons
are impossible and impractical, such an agreement would allow for many loopholes.

All through history, both chemical and biological weapons have been used.
Biological weapons were used in 1346 when the Tartars laid siege to the port
city of Caff. Which is now Feodosya in the Ukraine, on the East coast of the
Black Sea. While the Tartars were attempting to invade the walled city, the
Tartar developed a deadly and infectious disease. As the Tartars began to die,
they realized that they were fighting a losing battle. In desperation they took
the disease filled cadavers and flipped them into the city, spreading the
disease. The citizens of Caff fled the city in panic, and spread the disease to
the rest of Europe. More recently, in 1763, the British gave blankets as gifts
to the Native American Indians. What they neglected to mention to the Indians
was that the blankets came from a small pox hospital. By deliberately infecting
the Indians, the British soon conquered America.
Chemical weapons were used extensively during World War I and II. The
Axis powers used them first against the British during World War I. The uses of
mustard gas and such poisonous gases has been limited for fear of retribution.
The gases soon led to the use of the gas mask. The gas mask was not always
effective because some of the gases had delayed reactions. Or other gases would
penetrate the gas masks, and make the soldiers nauseated. As they removed the
mask in order to vomit, the gas would take it"s full effect. The gases
frequently caused severe burns, nausea, ate away at the soldier"s nostrils, and
at times caused fatal damage to the respiratory system. Chemical weapons are not
used exclusively for it"s harmful effects against humans. During the Vietnam War,
Agent Orange was used by the Americans to destroy the rainforest, to make sure
that enemy troops would be unable to hide in the dense plant growth.
Chemical and biological weapons have been the subject of international
debate for over 70 years, and I believe for good reason. Of course, the
government should, and does, participate in the conventions and foreign event
that have relation to these weapons. As citizens, we should be concerned because
chemical weapons are so easily accessible to terrorists, and one result of
living in such a powerful country, is being a prime target for terrorist.
Mustard gas, for example, is made with two very commonly used chemical compounds,
which are thiodiglycol and hydrochloric acid. Thiodiglycol is used in textile
dyes, and almost all pens. Hydrochloric acid is often used here at school in
experiments. While it would be impossible to completely stop the use of chemical
and biological weapons everywhere, America can use it"s position as a world
leader to influence other countries by showing an example of peace and strong
defense, instead of offense.