WAR MACHINE
Since the dawn of civilization,
humans
have
used
available
technologies for destructive and
beneficial purposes. Aboriginal use
of curare and amphibian-derived toxins as arrow poisons projected
modern attempts to weaponize
biological toxins such as botulinum
and ricin.
Weapon (BW) has been using
frequently as a tool of trade or policy
by both multinational corporations
and the government of developed
countries. Ex: Bird flu, AIDS,
Anthrax etc.
The early use of biological weapons
included the contamination of water
Shanresh Saha
One of the most notorious early
biological warfare methods was the
throwing of dead body over the walls
of besieged cities, primarily as a
terror tactic. De Mussis provided a
dramatic record of the use of plague
victims in biological warfare. After
war broke out between the Genoese
and the Mongols in 1343 for control
of the lucrative caravan trade route
from the Black Sea to the Orient, the
Mongols laid siege to Caffa, a
Genoese colony in the Crimea. The
plague, later known as the Black
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In the 21th century biological weapon
has emerged as a great threat to
mankind. Main challenge here is that
the threat of Traditional weapons can
be defended but sometime it might be
impossible to save life from
biological weaponâs radical effect. In
the age of globalization and
capitalism some analysts and
specialist claim that Biological
with animal carcasses and filth.
Another ancient tactic was to allow
an enemy to take sanctuary in an area
endemic for an infectious agent in
anticipation that the enemy force
would become
infected. The
Carthaginian leader, Hannibal, used
early biological weapons (serpent
toxins) in the naval battle of the
Eurymedon against King Eumenes of
Pergamum.
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Multiple factors confuse the study of
the history of biological weapons,
including
secrecy
surrounding
biological
weapons
programs,
difficulties confirming accusations of
biological attack, the lack of reliable
microbiological and epidemiological
data regarding alleged or attempted
attacks, and sometimes the use of
accusations of biological attack for
propaganda and tricks. Historical
sources and recent events in Israel,
Great Britain, and the United States
demonstrates
that
interest
in
biological weapons by statesponsored
programs,
terrorist
organizations, and criminal elements
is likely to continue.