title: Chemical and biological warfare. Should defenses be researched and deployed?
abstract: The threat of chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction has intensified because of improved delivery systems and advances in chemistry, genetics, and other sciences. Possible US responses to this threat include deterrence, defenses, and/or disarmament, including a reaffirmation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention of 1972, which is now in jeopardy. This article discusses the history of chemical and biological warfare, existing and potential weapons, the proliferation of weapons and delivery systems, ways to prevent the use of these weapons, and ways to protect populations from their effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Orient
mesh_terms: D001694:Biological Warfare / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D002618:Chemical Warfare; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D012106:Research; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012926:Social Control, Formal; D014586:USSR; D014481:United States