What is it?

Weapons based on either:

The production of micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses, toxins, fungi or parasites) respectively,

The distribution of metabolic products of the micro-organisms mentioned above.

Process:

Infection of humans, animals and plants via:

1.Inhalation

2.Droplet inection

3.Transfer through food

4. ansfer by insects

Actions after contamination:

Micro-organisms can be removed from personnel, equipment or vehicles after detonation of a B-weapon.

Biological warfare agents can be decontaminated respectively disinfected.

History:

1346: Pest infected bodies were thrown over the walls of Kaffa city

1850: British use smallpox infected blankets to fight American Indians

1915: Anthrax used by German spies in several countries

1925: Geneva protocol signed by 30 countries. Usage of B-weapons forbidden during war

1932: B-weapons tested by Japanese on 3,000 Chinese prisoners of war

1942/43: Anthrax bacteria tested by British scientists on the Gruinard Island which is contaminated for decades

1940-44: Anthrax bacteria used by Japanese in Chinese cities

1969: USA declares that they stop developing B/C-weapons

1950/66: USA tests non-pathologicical micro organisms in cities such as San Francisco and New York

1972: Signing of the B-weapon convention, valid from 03/26/1975

1979: Anthrax accident in Swerdlowsk, USSR

1995: Iraq produces B-weapons

1998: Israel and South Africa; research gene specific B-weapons

2000: B-weapon convention signed by 143 countries