title: The History of Biological Weapons Use: What We Know and What We Don't.
abstract: This article critically reviews the literature on the history of biological warfare, bioterrorism, and biocrimes. The first serious effort to review this entire history, made in 1969, had numerous limitations. In recent decades, several authors have filled many of the gaps in our understanding of the past use of biological agents (including both pathogens and toxins), making it possible to reconstruct that history with greater fidelity than previously possible. Nevertheless, there are numerous remaining gaps, and closer inspection indicates that some supposed uses of biological weapons never took place or are poorly substantiated. Topics requiring additional research are identified.
authors.affiliation: W. Seth Carus, PhD, is Distinguished Research Fellow, Center for the Study of WMD, National Defense University , Ft. McNair, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: W Seth
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Carus
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D001694:Biological Warfare / Q000266:history*; D054045:Biological Warfare Agents / Q000266:history*; D002681:China; D005060:Europe; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D013020:South America; D014481:United States; D047828:World War I; D047789:World War II
chemical_list: D054045:Biological Warfare Agents