Bioweapons

Bioweapons are weapons of war or terror that use biological agents or toxins to cause illness, injury, or death, or to undermine populations through fear. They may rely on bacteria, viruses, fungi, or biological toxins, and can be disseminated through air, water, or contaminated objects. Like other weapons, their development and use are governed by legal and ethical constraints, as well as public health considerations.

Because biological agents can reproduce and spread, bioweapons pose unique and unpredictable risks. The field of biological science is dual-use: methods that advance medicine and agriculture can also be misused for harm. Throughout the 20th century, some states pursued offensive programs, leading to global condemnation and increased emphasis on prevention and restraint.

International law primarily binds bioweapons through the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) of 1972, which bans development, production, stockpiling, or transfer of biological agents for hostile purposes. The BWC lacks a formal verification system, so compliance depends on national reporting and international diplomacy, with periodic conferences and confidence-building measures.

Contemporary responses focus on biosafety, biosecurity, and public health preparedness. These include oversight of dual-use research, export controls, rapid outbreak response, surveillance networks, and cooperation among states, international organizations, and the scientific community to prevent misuse while enabling beneficial research.