Controlling Chemical and Biological Weapons Essay -- Exploratory Essay

Controlling chemical substance and Biological Weapons History and IntroductionChemical and biologic weapons (CBWs) contract been used over the ages as an effective marrow of contendfare. The earlier incident of biological weapons (BWs) occurred in the third century B.C., when the Punic leader Hannibal filled up pots with venomous snakes and threw them onto enemy ships. (Cirincione, 48) Since then, biological weapons sacrifice been used very infrequently. This is mainly due to enormous cost inevitable to create and handle BWs (many of the groups who score attempted to create such weapons have ended up infecting themselves more often then their intended targets). (Henderson, 25) In contrast, chemical weapons have been used fairly frequently in warfare. The earliest example of chemical weapons comes from the Trojan struggle when the Greeks mixed sulfur and dislodge resin to engulf enemy troops in toxic fumes. (Cirincione, 51) to a greater extent recently the Germans and the Al lies of World War I utilized the capabilities of centilitre liquid in order to asphyxiate their enemies.(Slotten, 478) These weapons are thought to have been employed more frequently because they are more humane than biological or traditional weapons of war. Explains Capt. Alfred T Mahan of the U.S. Army after the Germans deployed chlorine gas during WWI, the use of gases might make war more humane, instead of demise an agonizing death from horrible wounds, soldiers might be incapacitated by gas and then be humanely carted off to prisoner of war camps where they could quickly recuperate with no ill effects.(Slotten, 478) Though Mahans rationale may be a little nave, one can actualise why after the war there were many advocates for chemical weapons. Since their covering in WWI by both the... ... the intelligence of the authorities in genuine nations, who in turn can put political pressure on the nations building CBWs. Intelligence is the key. The more we know, the easier it i s to stop terrorist groups and nations from using these weapons of mass destruction.SourcesCirincione, Joseph, with Jon B. Wolfsthal and Miriam Rajkumar, dementedly Arsenals Tracking Weapons of Mass Destruction. The Brooking Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 2002.Henderson, Harry, Global Terrorism The Complete interview Guide. Checkmark Boook, 2001. New York, N.Y.Moodie, Michael.Agents of Death. Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy, Spring 2000. v15 i1 p6.Slotten, Hugh R. gentle Chemistry or Scientific Barbarism? American Responses to World War I Poison Gas, 1915-1930. The Journal of American History, Volume 77, Issue 2. September, 1990. p. 476-498.