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 reliable evidence to support that American troops were
exposed to chemical or biological weaponry. Unfortunately, Iraq is not the only nation
using chemical weapons. Former CIA director, William Webster, has revealed that nearly 20
other nations have the chemical industry that allows them to make chemical weapons, in
fact, many these countries have even stockpiled these weapons for further use. Several
nations, including the United States, have conventional arms and nuclear weapons.
Numerous Middle Eastern nations feel that since they do not have the same capabilities or
funds, they have the right to make and use chemical weapons in order to counter our
advanced weaponry. Because of the fact that many third world countries feel the need to
make chemical weapons, it is frequently called "the poor man's atomic bomb."
Unlike chemical weapons, biological weapons have not been used in modern day warfare.
But in today's technologically advanced world, genetics is quickly becoming a threat in
biological weapons. Scientists are using genetics to develop new deadly diseases that
would be used to harm an opposing country. The new bacteria and viruses that the
scientists already have the ability to develop, could be used against hostile countries.
Bacterias and viruses could be used to kill crops and a country's environment, thereby
destroying their food supply. Or, even more effectively, spreading deadly diseases to the
country's citizens and soldiers. By February 14, 1970, the United States Department of
Defense had been ordered to draw up a plan to dispose of all biological agents and
toxins. Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Canada all followed the United State's example.
However, a number of nations, including the ex-Soviet Union and it's allies, have
actually favored concentrated international agreements on biological and chemical
weapons. These agreements would be focused upon biological and chemical weapons control
as a whole. Unfortunately, worldwide control of these weapons are impossible and
impractical, such an agreement would allow for many loopholes.
All through history, both chemical and biological weapons have been used. Biological
weapons were used in 1346 when the Tartars laid siege to the port city of Caff. Which is
now Feodosya in the Ukraine, on the East coast of the Black Sea. While the Tartars were
attempting to invade the walled city, the Tartar developed a deadly and infectious
disease. As the Tartars began to die, they realized that they were fighting a losing
battle. In desperation they took the disease filled cadavers and flipped them into the
city, spreading the disease. The citizens of Caff fled the city in panic, and spread the
disease to the rest of Europe. More recently, in 1763, the British gave blankets as gifts
to the Native American Indians. What they neglected to mention to the Indians was that
the blankets came from a small pox hospital. By deliberately infecting the Indians, the
British soon conquered America.
Chemical weapons were used extensively during World War I and II. The Axis powers used
them first against the British during World War I. The uses of mustard gas and such
poisonous gases has been limited for fear of retribution. The gases soon led to the use
of the gas mask. The gas mask was not always effective because some of the gases had
delayed reactions. Or other gases would penetrate the gas masks, and make the soldiers
nauseated. As they removed the mask in order to vomit, the gas would take it's full
effect. The gases frequently caused severe burns, nausea, ate away at the soldier's
nostrils, and at times caused fatal damage to the respiratory system. Chemical 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.
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