Part v focuses on the dynamics of chemical weapons, right from basics to delivery systems and from the various chemical warfare agents to their potential as weapons of mass destruction. These weapons include chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear. The term has been in use since at least 1937, when newspapers described german bomber aircraft as weapons of mass destruction because they were being used to raze republicanheld cities during the spanish civil war. An overview of weapons of mass destruction covers the types and effects of their use.
Essentially, there are three types of weapons of mass destruction, namely. The scope and usage of the term has evolved and been disputed, often signifying more politically than technically. The chemical weapons convention of 1993 and the biological weapons convention of 1972 banned the use of these types of wmds worldwide. The three types of weapons of mass destruction 1425 words 6 pages. Nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons fit this definition.
An atomic bomb exploded over a densely populated city could kill hundreds of thousands of people instantaneously and, as the lethal effects of radiation exposure take. This is commonly abbreviated by the military as nbc warfare, or nuclear, biological, chemical, radiological is not included because the military does not use such. In response to this global threat, unoct has developed a weapons of mass destruction chemical biological, radiological and nuclear programme wmd cbrn that. Worse it lacks an index something i consider essential in any book of this type. Weapons of mass destruction and millions of other books are available for amazon. A weapon of mass destruction wmd is something capable of inflicting mass casualties andor destroying or rendering highvalue assets as useless. Weapons of mass destruction international relations. Weapons of mass destruction and risk galore 1175 words 5 pages. United nations weapons of mass destruction nuclear, biological and chemical have plagued the human race since their invention and they still pose a threat today. Australia does not possess weapons of mass destruction, although it has participated in extensive research into nuclear, biological and chemical weapons in the past australia chairs the australia group, an informal grouping of countries that seek to minimise the risk of assisting chemical and biological weapon proliferation. The book mostly covers the development of nuclear bombswarheads and their delivery systems.
Roland e langford crucial information on nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons from the diseased animal carcass hurled over the wall of a besieged castle to the nuclear suitcase bomb carried by a clandestine. Biological weapons of mass destruction with the ability to spread deadly diseases like ebola and zika could wipe out up to a fifth of the worlds population, it has been claimed. Part iv is all about biological weapons overview, delivery systems, the various agents and their potential as a bioweapon, and more. A dirty bomb using a conventional explosion to disperse radioactive contaminants is one such type of weapon, but this could also encompass other ways to disperse nuclear contaminates, such as through a food or water source. A weapon of mass destruction is a nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological, or other device that is intended to harm a large number of people. A variety of treaties and agreements have been enacted to regulate the use, development and possession of various types of weapons of mass destruction. Crucial information on nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons from the diseased animal carcass hurled over the wall of a besieged castle to the nuclear suitcase bomb carried by a clandestine operative, the threat of unconventional weapons has always been a feature of warfare. United states and weapons of mass destruction wikipedia. Much of it is technically focused on describing the dangerous nature of chemical and biological warfare agents or the historical use of said.
In different sources the phrase may be seen as nbc nuclear, biological and chemical weapons or cbr. Treaties may regulate weapons use under the customs of war hague conventions, geneva protocol, ban specific types of weapons chemical weapons convention, biological weapons convention, limit weapons research partial test ban treaty. Weapons of mass destruction include biological, chemical, or nuclear. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. They can be nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. Weapons of mass destruction wmd is a term commonly used to refer to nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, but the precise meaning of the term is unclear. Australia and weapons of mass destruction wikipedia. Biological weapon, also called germ weapon, any of a number of diseaseproducing agentssuch as bacteria, viruses, rickettsiae, fungi, toxins, or other biological agentsthat may be utilized as weapons against humans, animals, or plants the direct use of infectious agents and poisons against enemy personnel is an ancient practice in warfare. Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons. Todays danger comes mainly from the potential use of nuclear, biological, and chemical nbc weapons of mass destruction wmd by international terrorists or rogue states.
The term is integral to the international communitys longstanding disarmament dialogue. What are the different types of weapons of mass destruction. The fifth president of iraq, saddam hussein, was internationally condemned for his use of chemical weapons during the 1980s campaign against. Although chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological weapons often serve as examples of wmd, many things can be used as a wmd. False alarms and misinformation about these weapons have abounded in the jittery post911 atmosphere. Purpura, in security and loss prevention fifth edition, 2008. Modern weapons of mass destruction are either nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons frequently referred to. Preparedness against biological agents prompted research about the type of. Chemical and biological uses of weapons of mass destruction. Biological agents are organisms or toxins that can kill or incapacitate people, livestock, and crops. Fever and bleeding disorders characterize all types, and all can. Biological warfare bwalso known as germ warfareis the use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, insects, and fungi with the intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war.
Covering issues relevant to teens, these fullcolor books present the information needed to analyze some of the most controversial and challenging topics in todays news and to help empower teenagers to develop. Chemical and biological warfare overview, 2015 air university. The three basic groups of biological agents that would likely be used as weapons are bacteria, viruses, and toxins. Weapons of mass destruction, wmd, as the name would imply are extremely powerful and very deadly. Biological weapons are agents of combat that contain microorganisms, and toxins from such organisms. The term weapons of mass destruction wmd was first expressly defined by the united nations in 1948 as atomic explosive weapons, radioactive material weapons, lethal chemical and biological weapons, and any weapons developed in the future which have characteristics comparable in destructive effect to those of the atomic bomb or other weapons mentioned above defining. The department of homeland security works every day to prevent terrorists and other threat actors from using these.
Biological weapon, any of a number of diseaseproducing agentssuch as bacteria, viruses, rickettsiae, fungi, toxins, or other biological agentsthat may be utilized as weapons against humans, animals, or plants. There are three main types of weapons of mass destruction. The threat of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons issues in focus today tracy a phillips on. Biological weapons of mass destruction essay 1587 words 7 pages. Weapons of mass destruction wmd are grouped into five categories using the acronym cbrn pronounced seeburn. Tracy a phillips describes the history, dangers, and types of weapons of mass destruction, including biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons. Most biological agents are difficult to grow and maintain. Defining weapons of mass destruction this paper rejects such arguments. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading weapons of mass destruction. Easy to acquireproduce inexpensive easy to disperse. The continued search in 2003 for weapons of mass destruction wmd in iraq heightened curiosity concerning the definition of wmd. This encyclopedia is the only comprehensive reference dedicated to the three types of weapons of mass destruction. Iraq actively researched and later employed weapons of mass destruction from 1962 to 1991, when it destroyed its chemical weapons stockpile and halted its biological and nuclear weapon programs as required by the united nations security council.
Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear terrorism. List of books and articles about weapons of mass destruction. Sheila rivera describes the history, development, and current threat of various types of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, as well as possible preventive measures. Handbook on biological warfare preparedness sciencedirect.
With the collapse of the soviet union, the threat was assumed to have gone away. Weapons of mass destruction are weapons that cause a high loss of life within a short time span. Biological weapons of mass destruction one of the three serious weapons used for mass destruction is biological. In most cases, biological weapons are in the form of deadly viruses. Todays danger comes mainly from the potential use of nuclear, biological, and chemical nbc weapons of mass. The virology bookshop biological weapons and warfare books. All states participating in the australia group are parties to the. The direct use of infectious agents and poisons against enemy personnel is an ancient. Biological weapons often termed bio weapons, biological threat agents, or bioagents are living organisms or replicating entities viruses, which are. Discusses the conflicts and wars involving these weapons and their. Only one chapter each is devoted to chemical and biological weapons, respectively. Weapon of mass destruction an overview sciencedirect.
A weapon of mass destruction wmd is a nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological, or any other weapon that can kill and bring significant harm to numerous humans or cause great damage to humanmade structures e. The united states faces a rising danger from terrorists and rogue states seeking to use weapons of mass destruction. Weapon of mass destruction wmd chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons that cause damage, destroy, or contaminate an extraordinarily wide area or. Historically, biological weapons are the oldest form of wmd and have been in use since the medieval ages. The subtitle, the nononsense guide to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons today, is a bit of a misnomer. Biological warfare chemical warfare nuclear weapon radiological. Contrary to the views of many pundits, there is an authoritative definition for wmd. Alternative technologies for the destruction of chemical agents and munitions. There are three types of wmds, chemical, biological, and nuclear chernotsky and hobbs 20. List of weapons of mass destruction treaties wikipedia. Although all three types may be proliferated and present a serious threat to international security, the focus is placed on nuclear weapons because of their enormous destructive capacity. Weapons of mass destruction wmd are weapons that can kill or harm large numbers of people or do extensive damage to infrastructure, nature, or the earth itself. With over 500 entries arranged alphabetically, volume one covers biological and chemical weapons, while volume two focuses on nuclear weapons.
Biological, chemical and nuclear absence of mycoplasma contamination in the anthrax vaccine. Radiological weapon weapons that disperse radioactive agents to inflict injury or cause contamination or damage. When tom lehrer sang well all go together when we go, the world was gripped by fear of nuclear holocaust. Weapon of mass destruction wmd, weapon with the capacity to inflict death and destruction on such a massive scale and so indiscriminately that its very presence in the hands of a hostile power can be considered a grievous threat. Saddam believed his chemical weapons saved him in the first gulf war. An encyclopedia of worldwide policy, technology, and history. The nononsense guide to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons today. A weapon of mass destruction wmd is a nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological or other weapon that can kill and bring significant harm to. Weapons of mass destruction, as classified by the fbi, are any destructive devices, chemical or biological agents used with the intention of causing death or injury on a large scale. The nononsense guide to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons today kindle edition by hutchinson, robert. Essays and articles by scientists, military officers, politicians, and others present various opinions on biological terrorism and chemical warfare.