Biological Defense

Biological Defense involves the protection against biological agents that are harmful to human beings, animals, and the environment.

What is biological warfare also known as?

- "Biological warfare, also known as germ warfare..."

What are some examples of biological agents used in warfare?

- "...biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, insects, and fungi..."

How are biological weapons categorized?

- "Biological weapons (often termed 'bio-weapons', 'biological threat agents', or 'bio-agents') are living organisms or replicating entities..."

What is the legal status of offensive biological warfare in international armed conflicts?

- "Offensive biological warfare in international armed conflicts is a war crime under the 1925 Geneva Protocol and several international humanitarian law treaties."

What does the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) prohibit?

- "The 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) bans the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological weapons."

Are defensive biological research activities prohibited by the BWC?

- "In contrast, defensive biological research for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes is not prohibited by the BWC."

How does biological warfare differ from other types of weapons of mass destruction?

- "Biological warfare is distinct from warfare involving other types of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including nuclear warfare, chemical warfare, and radiological warfare."

In what ways can biological weapons be used strategically or tactically?

- "Biological weapons may be employed in various ways to gain a strategic or tactical advantage over the enemy, either by threats or by actual deployments."

Can biological weapons be targeted against specific individuals, groups, or populations?

- "They may be lethal or non-lethal, and may be targeted against a single individual, a group of people, or even an entire population."

Who can develop and deploy biological weapons?

- "They may be developed, acquired, stockpiled or deployed by nation states or by non-national groups."

What is the term for the use of biological weapons by non-national groups or in clandestine operations?

- "In the latter case, or if a nation-state uses it clandestinely, it may also be considered bioterrorism."

How do biological warfare and chemical warfare overlap?

- "Biological warfare and chemical warfare overlap to an extent, as the use of toxins produced by some living organisms is considered under the provisions of both the BWC and the Chemical Weapons Convention."

What are some characteristics of toxins and psychochemical weapons?

- "Toxins and psychochemical weapons are often referred to as midspectrum agents."

Do these midspectrum agents reproduce in their host?

- "Unlike bioweapons, these midspectrum agents do not reproduce in their host..."

What is the aim of using biological weapons?

- "...with the intent to kill, harm or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war."

What is the role of entomological warfare in biological warfare?

- "Entomological (insect) warfare is a subtype of biological warfare."

How are biological weapons considered in relation to conventional weapons?

- "None of these are considered conventional weapons, which are deployed primarily for their explosive, kinetic, or incendiary potential."

What is the purpose of using biological weapons as area denial weapons?

- "Like some chemical weapons, biological weapons may also be useful as area denial weapons."

Is biological warfare limited to lethal agents?

- "Biological weapons may be lethal or non-lethal..."

Can defensive biological research be utilized for peaceful purposes?

- "In contrast, defensive biological research for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes is not prohibited by the BWC."