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Biological warfare in a historical perspective.

R Roffey¹, A Tegnell, F Elgh

¹Swedish Defense Research Agency, Division of NBC-Defense, Umeå, Sweden. roger.roggey@foi.se

Clinical Microbiology and Infection : the Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

|August 29, 2002

Summary

Biological warfare (BW) has a history from WWI sabotage to large-scale WWII programs. Despite international treaties, concerns persist regarding state-level BW development and emerging technological risks.

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Area of Science:

Biosecurity
International Security
History of Warfare

Background:

Biological warfare (BW) has historical precedents, with significant military development occurring between World Wars I and II.
Several nations, including the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Japan, and the Soviet Union, actively pursued BW programs during World War II.

Observation:

Japan extensively utilized BW during WWII.
The US BW program concluded in 1969, coinciding with the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) signing.
The Soviet Union maintained a substantial BW program post-WWII, expanding significantly after signing the BTWC, involving numerous facilities and personnel.

Findings:

Post-Soviet collapse, Russia officially ceased offensive BW activities in 1992, though residual concerns remain.

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Iraq's BW program, despite extensive UN inspections, presents unresolved questions.

Covert BW programs in South Africa (terminated ~1993) and ongoing concerns about states like North Korea, Iran, Syria, Sudan, and Libya acquiring BW capabilities.

Implications:

Advancements in technology present new risks for the military misuse of biological agents.
Continued vigilance and international cooperation are crucial to mitigate the threat of biological weapons proliferation.