Chemical And Biological Weapons

Chemical and Biological Weapons

Chemical and biological weapons are the most dangerous threats that our soldiers face today. But just how much do most of us know about them? The

American public had been bombarded by stories of how our government keeps secret weapons, does secret experiments, and the everlasting conspiracies. And many accept it all. Rather than simply trusting our government, (which is perhaps as foolish as believing several unsubstansiated theroies), I’ve compiled several simple facts regarding recent and historic developments in chemical and biological warfare.

Chemical weapons are defined as chemical substances of gas, liquid, or solid which are used because of a directly toxic effect upon humans, animals, or plants. Biological weapons are living organisms, whatever their nature, or the materials that are created because of their use. Biological weapons can cause disease or death in living organisms, and are depended upon for their further ability to multiply inside the organism that it attacks. Even though the two weapons are closely related, chemical weapons are used far more commonly because they are inexpensive to make and use. Chemical weapons are more dangerous to

America because of the conflicts we have involved ourselves in. Iraq for example, has a long and extensive history of using chemical weapons. In the 1980’s, Iraq released poisonous gases against Iranian troops. Iraq has even used chemical weapons against it’s own Kurdish citizens to subdue rebellions. As one of the aftermaths of the Persian Gulf War, however, Iraq agreed to giveup all materials and equipment for making chemical and biological weapons. An organization called

UNSCOM or United Nations Special Commissions on Iraq was formed to ensure that

Iraq followed through upon it’s promises. However, when Lt. Hussein, Saddam

Hussein’s son-in-law and director of Iraq’s weapons program, defected, it was found that Iraq had been dishonest in it’s reports to UNSCOM. for four years.

Today, everyone has heard even a passing reference to Gulf-War Syndrome. In 1994, a Congressional report examined eyewitness accounts and declassified operation logs. They concluded that United States troops were exposed eleven times to chemical and biological weapons. Yet, two other reports concluded the opposite.

The DSB and IOM reports found that there was no reli...

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...l weapons are not used exclusively for it’s harmful effects against humans. During the Vietnam War,

Agent Orange was used by the Americans to destroy the rainforest, to make sure that enemy troops would be unable to hide in the dense plant growth.

Chemical and biological weapons have been the subject of international debate for over 70 years, and I believe for good reason. Of course, the government should, and does, participate in the conventions and foreign event that have relation to these weapons. As citizens, we should be concerned because chemical weapons are so easily accessible to terrorists, and one result of living in such a powerful country, is being a prime target for terrorist.

Mustard gas, for example, is made with two very commonly used chemical compounds, which are thiodiglycol and hydrochloric acid. Thiodiglycol is used in textile dyes, and almost all pens. Hydrochloric acid is often used here at school in experiments. While it would be impossible to completely stop the use of chemical and biological weapons everywhere, America can use it’s position as a world leader to influence other countries by showing an example of peace and strong defense, instead of offense.