History of Biological Warfare Essay Example for Free

History of biologic fightf are EssayBiological state of war, similarly called germ state of war is the riding habit of bacteria, toxins, virus or catastrophic organism by the military as weapons of war against the opposite. This means that a small quantity of these microorganisms have a bun in the oven the capability to kill millions of people if spread evenly and effectively. These biological weapons rat also reach unhealthiness to enemy soldiers and disrupt enemys logistics and supply lines. Although biological warfare as such has up to now not taken place on a large scale, yet assuming and apprehending its probable occurrence, numerous nations have built their individual defensive strategies to be on the safe side. On the basis of this confidence and probability, much research for the purpose of defense against biological weapons has been conducted by the scientists, highly sensitive industries and the governments. save since carrying issue germ-warfare again st humanity or using harmful bacteria or organism against human beings was considered entirely inhumane, an global treaty banning biological weapons came into force in 1975. By virtue of this treaty, production, possession, and use of such weapons were exclusively prohibited. More than 150 nations signed this treaty.Deadly Forms of warfare in History The origin of biological warfare is traced back in ancient times, when the Assyrians, in 6th century B. C poisoned enemy wells with baneful herbs (eukaryotes or fungi) that cused the enemy lose sanity or consciousness. This was the starting point of biological warfare in human history. Thence onward this typical warfare was used by many in the quondam(prenominal) e. g. Solon of Athens poisoned the water supply of Phocaea with extremely poisonous herb Veratrum, during his citys besieging the archers of Scythian, during 4th century B. C.poisoned the tips of arrows to cause infection into the wounds of enemy the Spartans used sulfur d uring the Peloponnesian War in 400 B. C. In medieval times, soldiers used to throw dead bodies into the wells. During the Indian-French wars in1689 and 1763, blankets used by smallpox patients were condition to Indians for carrying the disease to the latter. It was Germany, which, during World War I, used poisonous fumble for the first time against Allied forces at Belgium and Ypres. The use of poisonous gas by Germany caused about 30 percent of casualties suffered by the US army.The use of poisonous gas proved so fatal and devastating in nature that many nations nem con agreed to ban the use of gas and extremely harmful chemical substances in future wars. But again it was Iraq which breached the agreement and used chemical weapons against Iran in eight years long war (1980-1988). Iraq was also held responsible for using chemical weapons against the independence seeking Kurdish people. Relatively New Forms of Warfare most of the new forms of warfare that have lately engaged natio ns in the design, technique and art of modern warfare include 1. Chemical Warfare 2. Biological Warfare 3. Radiological Warfare4. Mine Warfare 5. freedom fighter Warfare 6. Amphibious Warfare 7. Psychological warfare 8. Siege Warfare 9. Nuclear Warfare From the preceding(prenominal) forms of warfare, the chemical, radiological, and biological warfare are singled out as ones in which CBR weapons are used for people killing disabling millions of people instantly, transmitting fatal diseases into enemy rank and file incapacitating the enemy physically, and destroying their food supplies. How do they Work? Chemical Warfare Chemical Warfare involves all those chemical substances which call for the nervous as well as the respiratory systems, besides affecting skin, eyes, and nose.The chemicals, which include gases, liquids, and powders, can be sprayed from disperseplanes, dropped as bombs, fired in the form of artillery shells, or spread over the area with basis mines. But there are some colorless and odorless nerve agents which, if inhaled, can cause immediate death while some chemical agents can cause temporary blindness or confusion. The mustard gas also called Blister Agent caused many casualties during World War I. But it is sooner relieving to see the chemical agents not widely used in warfare since the end of World War I (1918). Radiological WarfareRadiological Warfare involves those substances that give off radiation, and which may damage the subjective organs of a person and even cause death. Radiological warfare is extremely dangerous because the released radiation therapy in the process renders the entire area unfit for human life. Mine Warfare Mine Warfare is the use of explosive devices called mines to kill enemy troops and destroy their ships, tanks, and other equipment. Some mines explode when a person steps on them or run over by a tank or jeep, while the naval mines are detonated by the passing of a ship. The two major kinds of mines are1. The region Mines 2. The Naval Mines The main types of land mines are1) antipersonnel mines, 2) antitank mines, 3) chemical mines, 4) controlled mines, and 5) nuclear mines. There drumhead four kinds of naval mines include 1) acoustic mines, 2) contact mines, 3) magnetic mines, and 4) pressure mines insurrectionist warfare guerilla warfare is conducted by the fighter bands that employ the tactics of sudden raids, ambushes, and other attacks on small-scale. The term Guerrilla which means Little War in Spanish, was first used by the Portuguese and Spanish armies during the peninsular War (1808-1814).Amphibious warfare Amphibious warfare is the mode of army operations by land air and sea forces with the objective of capturing a coastal area or a beach. Generally the amphibious operations are considered the most intricate form of modern warfare. During World War II (1939-1945), subsequently Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor and destroyed US naval installations in the Pacific Ocean, a popular objective of United States amphibious warfare was to seize islands in order to build their advance on. These air and naval bases were captured for their operations against Japan.Antidotes for Biological Weapons The antidote for biological agents is a complete kit which contains medicines and treatments for nerve gas. It also contains injectors to fight anthrax, and antibiotics and drugs to reduce the effects of radiation exposure. Normally the kits are kept locked in military vans by the army. It is worthwhile noting that according to the briefing documents prepared by the Army Medical Department for the senior aesculapian command in Iraq Millions of dollars worth of such kits are incinerated in Iraq each year.Army spokesman, Foster, D. said that the service policy is to issue the kits to each unit prior to deployment, and ensure all unused kits are turned in prior to the units redeployment for destruction. Also the vice president for strategic security programs at the Federation of American Scientists, Ivan Oelrich, said that sending the Antidote-kits is a rational policy just in case some terrorist gets subscribe of 10 gallons of nerve as (Bob, 2007) Gas MaskAmong other cherishive coverings such as injections of antidotes, gas masks too are used as one of the defensive measures against chemical agents. Gas mask protects a person from breathing poisonous gases and vapors into the lungs. Only air is allowed to enter the mask through the filtrate pads, which purifies and filters the air. The charcoal which is padded within the cheeks of mask purifies the air by trapping harmful gases and particles. Particulate filters can remove particles of smoke, dust, and even some harmful biological agents.The purifying materials are in the cheeks of present-day masks, which are often part of an entire protective suit. In World War I (1914-1918), masks were used to protect troops against gas attacks. Gas was not used in World War II (1939-1945), still armie s had masks in case gas warfare began. During the Persian Gulf War of 1991 and the Iraq War, which began in 2003, gas masks were issued to troops and civilians in areas where it was feared Iraq would attack. (Lussier and Frances M, 2007)