BIOTERRORISM

INTRODUCTION

Bioterrorism is defined as a planned or destructive use of biological agents such as viruses,

bacteria, fungi or toxins produced from  that embodies the properties of life. This phony use of
pathogenic strains of micro-organisms spread lethal diseases on a large scale with the aim to
destroy or ruin the population of an area. The threats bio weapons pose to public health is the
foundation that law provides for effective public health activities. Bioterrorism can cause
immense panic and fear in the population and create civil disruption in the shortest possible
time. Public order would be jeopardized.

ANTIQUITY OF BIOWARFARE

During 14th century BC Hittites send rams infected with tularaemia to their enemies which is
marked as the first bio warfare in the history of mankind, however smallpox was considered the
most effective biological weapon in the colonial times. By the 20 th century, the use of biological
warfare became more sophisticated. It was the main ammunition for World War I (1914 – 11)
and II (1939 – 45)

LAW AND BIOTERRORISM

The most important legal aspects that govern bioterrorism are BWC [Biological weapons
convention] and CWC [Chemicals weapons convention]. The code on the prohibition of the
development, production and stockpiling of bacteriological and toxic weapons and on there
destruction, commonly known as the biological weapons convention. The BWC undertook
“never in any circumstances to develop, produce, stockpile or otherwise acquire or retain
microbial or other biological agents or toxins whatever their origin or method of production”.
The CWC comprises of a preamble, 24 articles and 3 annexes. The convention aims to eliminate
an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. A unique feature of the Convention is its
incorporation of the ‘challenge inspection’, whereby any State Party in doubt about another
State Party’s compliance can request a surprise inspection. The BWC came into force on
1972 followed by CWC on 1993, however the first ever regulation on bio warfare was put
down by The Geneva Protocol 1925

THE GENEVA PROTOCOL 1925

The Geneva protocol was formulated based on biological or chemical warfare instances of
which have been reported since antiquity. It prohibits “the use in war of asphyxiating,
poisonous, or other gases and of all analogous liquids, materials or devices” and also
“extends this prohibition to the use of bacteriological methods of warfare”. This law is now
chronic in the international level and are therefore binding even on states that are not
parties to it.

CONCLUSION

Civilian populations are vulnerable to deliberate releases of biological and chemical agents. Full
and complete implementation of the 1972 and 1993 Conventions is therefore an objective that
needs continual affirmation and national support.