Developing an 

“Unseen” Weapon: Sars-CoV-2 as a Precursor for Unconverntional Chemical-Biological Warfare of the 21st Century

Can something as transmissible and fatal as Sars-CoV-2, which causes the now dreaded COVID-19, be the next chemical
and biological weapon?

As of now, no reports has ever confirmed that it is.

But the matter of fact is IT COULD BE.

Chemical and biological warfare defined

Chemical and biological warfare (CBW) is defined as the use of bacteria, viruses, toxins, poisons or chemicals to injure or
kill large numbers of people. It is usually directed at a military force in an effort to cause mass casualties and death.

Historical background of CW/BW in a nutshell

There are a handful of bio-chemical initiators in Asia alone. For instance, North Korea has the largest stockpile of chemical
weapons in the region. It could deliver large quantities of blister, blood, and nerve agents by rocket, mortar, rocket launcher, and
spray tank. Not to mention, even its ordinary citizens are well-trained in biological and chemical defense.

Meanwhile, China has a “mature” chemical and biological warfare capability per report of Global Proliferation. Given
China’s advanced technical know-how, it was able to develop fatal ballistic missiles that it has been trying to operationalize in the
West Philippines Sea. Consequently, transforming chemical agents in a wide variety of munitions, should have been foreseeable by
now.

Just the same, Japan started in 1937 a biological warfare program in a laboratory complex codenamed “Unit 731”.
Accordingly, an estimated number of 3,000 deaths resulted from such experimentation, annihilating Chinese and Manchurians in
1940s with all the infected-pleas. By those infected-please, the Japanese program had stockpiled 400 kilograms of anthrax to be
used in a specially designed fragmentation bombs. Later, it was revealed that the Japanese’ subjects on research were numerous
organisms and used prisoners of war as research subjects. Apparently, slightly less than 1,000 human autopsies were carried out in
this laboratory, mostly on victims exposed to aerosolized anthrax.

In North America, the United States had its fair share of bio-chemical warfare-related activities. In 1967, the U.S. military
loaded the S.S. Corporal Eric Gibson with nerve rockets containing VX and sarin at Col’s Neck Naval Pier in New Jersey. Eventually,
its spillovers became hazardous after its sea dumping, making this one of the many incidents that were considered as “deadly
legacies” of WWI, WWII, and Cold War.

From 15th to 17th century, smallpox was used as weapon in battles like the French and Indian War. As a consequence,
Native Americans sustained epidemic casualties, which directly contributed to the loss of Fort Carillion to the English.

Also, in Europe, Germany had some of its horses and cattles inoculated with destructive and contagious bacterial disease,
known as glanders, before shipping them to France.

Meanwhile, in 1972, the U.S., United Kingdom, and Soviet Union (currently known as Russia), alongside over 140
countries, signed the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological)
and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction, also known as the Biological Weapons Convention. This treaty prohibits the
stockpiling of biological agents for offensive military purposes, and also forbids research initiatives that develop their use.
However, despite this historic agreement among nations, biological warfare research continued to flourish in many countries
hostile to the United States. In fact, there were several cases of suspected of actual case of biological weapons. The most
notorious of these were the “yellow rain” incidents in Southeast Asia, the use of ricin as an assassination weapon in London in
1978, and the accidental release of anthrax spores at Sverdlock in 1979.

Sars-CoV-2 as a blueprint for unconventional yet lethal biological and chemical warfare

Sars-CoV-2 (formerly referred to as “novel corona virus”), the causative agent of the dreaded disease called “COVID-19”,
has originated in Wuhan, China and is the newest strain of coronavirus that has infected thousands of people worldwide. This virus
is transmitted primarily through saliva droplets and nasal discharges coming from an infected person or contaminated objects.
However, medical experts recently have looked into aerosol transmission, from which a person may be infected though exposure
to high concentration of the virus, particularly in enclosed areas.

As of this writing, there were approximately 600,000 persons who had tested positive for COVID-19, and more or less
27,000 people who already had died therefrom. Interestingly though is the fact that not everyone inflicted with this disease dies.
Some develop mild signs and symptoms while others have no symptoms at all (asymptomatic).

Deadlier yet silent and treacherous weapon

Undeniably, theSars-CoV-2 virus has actually put several countries or states on acid test. The recent turn of events
revealed the affected countries’ capability on preparedness, planning, detection and surveillance, emergency response, and
communication systems, as well as the efficacy of their individual health care systems. Some had somehow managed to contain
COVID-19 in a more manageable level, while others suffered a large blow owing to their lack of readiness in addressing emerging
epidemic and life-threatening infectious diseases. For instance, as of March 26, new figures reveal how coronavirus cases in the
United States have the world’s biggest and fastest growing coronavirus outbreak; most from European travellers. In fact, this has
overtaken Italy and are even worse than China ever reported.

From the abovementioned, cases in America rose to more than 92,000; more than any other nation. Italy is second with
86,498 in Italy and China is third with 81,430.

We may then compare the case trajectories of the US, Italy, China and South Korea since each one reported 100 cases.
South Korea’s cases doubled every week, and cases in both Italy and China doubled every three days.

On the other hand, in the U.S., cases have been increasing twofold every two days — the fastest of any nation. In fact, on
March 26th, there were more than 16,000 new cases recorded in just one day.Practically speaking, New York City has become
the new epicenter, with cases outstripping Wuhan — where the virus originated. On 27 March, the city recorded 519 deaths, up
from 365 deaths on that same day.

Manifestly, the pandemic is becoming immensely catastrophic to the global economy. In the United States alone,
the Labor Department reported that 3.3 million people applied for unemployment benefits that has started last 3rd week of
March, which is by far the highest number ever recorded. Job losses have swept across sectors — from food services, to retail, to
transportation — as nearly half of the country has closed “non-essential” businesses.

Global, Regional, and National security from epidemic preparedness and health systems capacity building — the Way Forward

With its current and rising rate of transmission, with concomitant increase in morbidities and mortalities all over the
world, it is not unsurprising that the COVID-19-causing Sars-CoV-2 might be used as a pre-cursor of a pernicious yet deadlier
weapon of mass destruction, which will definitely transform the landscape of regional and national security to a whole new level
as well as global security order in case power shift will give way to another superpower but this is still far-fetched.I

n the meantime on emerging political clash and rumours suggest that China has been “underreporting” the number of its
COVID-19-related cases and deaths. Whether or not this is true, they are saying the whole new truth narrative to gain traction with
states it can leverage with for diplomatic and economic intent. On the other hand, the integrity and reputation of World Health
Organization (WHO) is at stake due to alleged cover-ups of facts, inadequacy of reports, and biased leaning towards China without
considering Taiwan’s effort in containing COVID-19. Pakistan and Africa have already blamed China for N95’s under quality while
Chinese medical doctors have already arrived in the Philippines.

To further advance resolution, the G7, G20, EU, NATO, ASEAN, and other regional blocs have to widen their information
and strategic operations towards robust risk assessment and logistics, in order for these international bodies/institutions to be
able to carry out collaboration in their respective jurisdictions. That is for the mean time since history would always tell us that any
global crisis also considers self-preservation strategy in the long run (i.e. maintaining financial stimulus and domestic amelioration
for all social classes). Moreover, funds coming from the governments of the countries concerned, private donors, and other
international organizations, may be used for risk assessment.

Also, experts from defense and health industries may be tapped to deal with the pandemic. Given the post-Cold War cuts
in defense-related spending, we have to shift to emerging health security issues while maintaining security borders. The clean-up
effort among nations could prove to be a lucrative avenue for companies looking for opportunities amidst high and technological
problems. For example, there really is a need to urge those dumps sites identified as being most at risk be constantly monitored.

On governmental side, there has to be a strong pushback and concrete plans of economic stimulus to maintain direct
payments to individuals, dissemination of subsidized loans, grants and tax breaks to small-medium enterprises (SMEs).

Certainly, the unintended yet massive impact of COVID-19 across various geographic areas and socio-political and
economic sectors, makes the current spread of causative agent, Sars-CoV-2 virus, an irresistible framework for savage non-state
actors to plot graver and more incalculable terrorism or destruction. Indeed, the awareness, education, and readiness of leaders
and public health institutions with this potentially developing health and security threat cannot be overemphasized.

From the above-mentioned, cases in America rose to more than 92,000; more than any other nation. Italy is second with
86,498 in Italy and China is third with 81,430.

We may then compare the case trajectories of the US, Italy, China and South Korea since each one reported 100 cases.
South Korea’s cases doubled every week, and cases in both Italy and China doubled every three days.

On the other hand, in the U.S., cases have been increasing twofold every two days — the fastest of any nation. In fact, on
March 26th, there were more than 16,000 new cases recorded in just one day.Practically speaking, New York City has become
the new epicenter, with cases outstripping Wuhan — where the virus originated. On 27 March, the city recorded 519 deaths, up
from 365 deaths on that same day.

Manifestly, the pandemic is becoming immensely catastrophic to the global economy. In the United States alone,
the Labor Department reported that 3.3 million people applied for unemployment benefits that has started last 3rd week of
March, which is by far the highest number ever recorded. Job losses have swept across sectors — from food services, to retail, to
transportation — as nearly half of the country has closed “non-essential” businesses.

Global, Regional, and National security from epidemic preparedness and health systems capacity building — the Way Forward

With its current and rising rate of transmission, with concomitant increase in morbidities and mortalities all over the
world, it is not unsurprising that the COVID-19-causing Sars-CoV-2 might be used as a pre-cursor of a pernicious yet deadlier
weapon of mass destruction, which will definitely transform the landscape of regional and national security to a whole new level
as well as global security order in case power shift will give way to another superpower but this is still far-fetched.

In the meantime on emerging political clash and rumours suggest that China has been “underreporting” the number of
its COVID-19-related cases and deaths. Whether or not this is true, they are saying the whole new truth narrative to gain traction
with states it can leverage with for diplomatic and economic intent. On the other hand, the integrity and reputation of World
Health Organization (WHO) is at stake due to alleged cover-ups of facts, inadequacy of reports, and biased leaning towards China
without considering Taiwan’s effort in containing COVID-19. Pakistan and Africa have already blamed China for N95’s under quality
while Chinese medical doctors have already arrived in the Philippines.

To further advance resolution, the G7, G20, EU, NATO, ASEAN, and other regional blocs have to widen their information
and strategic operations towards robust risk assessment and logistics, in order for these international bodies/institutions to be
able to carry out collaboration in their respective jurisdictions. That is for the mean time since history would always tell us that any
global crisis also considers self-preservation strategy in the long run (i.e. maintaining financial stimulus and domestic amelioration
for all social classes). Moreover, funds coming from the governments of the countries concerned, private donors, and other
international organizations, may be used for risk assessment.

Also, experts from defense and health industries may be tapped to deal with the pandemic. Given the post-Cold War cuts
in defense-related spending, we have to shift to emerging health security issues while maintaining security borders. The clean-up
effort among nations could prove to be a lucrative avenue for companies looking for opportunities amidst high and technological
problems. For example, there really is a need to urge those dumps sites identified as being most at risk be constantly monitored.

On governmental side, there has to be a strong pushback and concrete plans of economic stimulus to maintain direct
payments to individuals, dissemination of subsidized loans, grants and tax breaks to small-medium enterprises (SMEs).

Certainly, the unintended yet massive impact of COVID-19 across various geographic areas and socio-political and
economic sectors, makes the current spread of causative agent, Sars-CoV-2 virus, an irresistible framework for savage non-
state actors to plot graver and more incalculable terrorism or destruction. Indeed, the awareness, education, and readiness
of leaders and public health institutions with this potentially developing health and security threat cannot be
overemphasized.
Political and Economic Geography Critique Paper on Developing an “Unseen” Weapon: Sars-CoV-2 as a Precursor for
Unconventional Chemical-Biological Warfare of the 21st Century

Biological warfare is the use of biological toxins of 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. As stated in the paper “Developing an “Unseen”
Weapon: Sars-CoV-2 as a Precursor for Unconventional Chemical-Biological Warfare of the 21st Century”, the use of biological
agents is not a new concept, and history is filled with examples of their use. Attempts to use biological warfare agents date back
to antiquity as far back as 400 BC. For that reason, in 1972, the United States, United Kingdom, and Soviet Union (Russia),
alongside with over 140 countries, signed the “Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of
Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction” or commonly known as the Biological Weapons
Convention (BWC). Wherein the treaty prohibits the accumulation of large stocks of biological agents for offensive military
purposes, and also forbids research initiatives that develop their use. But despite this agreement among nations, the research on
biological warfare continued in many countries hostile to the United States.

As the Sars-CoV-2 or the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) devastates populations and economies, theories and
conspiracies began to rise. The authors of the paper “Developing an “Unseen” Weapon: Sars-CoV-2 as a Precursor for
Unconventional Chemical-Biological Warfare of the 21st Century” believe that the COVID-19 could be and possibly be a
biological weapon. Initial findings about the virus believe that it originated from a wet market in Wuhan, China. However, in
recent studies and researches, investigators from the United States are looking into the possibility that the novel coronavirus
spread from a Chinese laboratory rather than a market. But despite these researches, there is still no sufficient evidence that the
COVID-19 pandemic is a manifestation of a bioweapon.

The rising cases of COVID-19 in different countries show how prepared each countries are in such pandemic crisis like
this. “To flatten the curve”, is what the highly affected countries aimed to accomplish, but if we are to look at the current
statistics of COVID-19 cases worldwide, we can see that this pandemic is still far from over. Although some countries were able
to flatten the curve and managed to contain the spread of the virus, cases in other countries are increasing rapidly on a daily
basis and outnumber the record of daily recoveries. United States has now the most number of cases with 676,676 confirmed
cases with New York being the new epicenter of the disease with 222,284 cases as of April 17, 2020. Also, countries without
advance healthcare systems and equipment are either experiencing a rapid increase in confirmed cases rather than recoveries,
or taking a long time in testing their people due to lack of testing kits and regulating machines. The effect of this pandemic is
immensely catastrophic especially to the global economy. Enhanced community quarantines and lockdowns on different
countries restrict the global markets to circulate the economy resulting to shortages in foods and other essential resources.

The authors of the article also foresee the COVID-19 as a precursor of a harmful yet deadlier weapon of mass
destruction, which will definitely affect and change the landscape of regional and national security as well as the global security
order. Rumors also suggest that China has been hiding the real number of its COVID-19 cases and deaths. Also the integrity and
reputation of the World Health Organization (WHO) is at stake due to alleged cover-ups of facts and biased leaning towards
China without considering Taiwan’s effort in containing COVID-19 despite its near location to China where the disease
originated. Several countries have started to blame China for exporting faulty medical equipments while other countries like the
Philippines praised China for exerting efforts in fighting the disease and deploying their own medical practitioners to other
countries to help in containing the pandemic.

As stated by the authors in the article, to further advance resolution, the G7, G20, EU, NATO, ASEAN, and other regional
blocs have to widen their information and strategic operations towards robust risk assessment and logistics. Through this,
international bodies and organizations or institutions will be able to carry out collaboration within their respective jurisdictions.
Governments also should provide fiscal measures and subsidized loans, grants and tax breaks to small-medium enterprises
(SMEs). This will help especially the unemployed people during this pandemic crisis.

In my own opinion, knowing that China is controlled by the manipulative Chinese Communist Party, we cannot deny the
probability of COVID-19 being a weapon for mass destruction. The Chinese Communist Party supported by their “Chinese
Dream” of global supremacy and world dominance are enough basis for the creation of a bioweapon as deadly as the COVID-19.
If we are going to study China’s recent actions and foreign policy approach, we can see and conclude that their lending of money
for infrastructure projects overseas will benefit them the most rather than the borrower countries. Also, China implements a
geostrategic approach in their world conquest. We can also see that their actions are interconnected since the birth of Xi
Jinping’s flagship foreign policy, the Belt and Road Initiative. This billion dollar project of China comprises a Silk Road Economic
Belt and a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road that aim to have an accessible trade routes among BRI countries.

If we are to look at this project and the recent rise of this COVID-19 pandemic, we can say that they are farfetched from
one another, but if we will assess it thoroughly, the Belt and Road Initiative is now being used by China as their Health Silk Road
with a purpose of luring powerful countries like Italy, who are heavily affected by the pandemic, to solely depend on China.
China created a weapon for mass destruction that will make them the last country standing; hence more countries will borrow
money or healthcare equipments despite the country’s high interest rates and popular debt traps that can lead to collateral
damages. This is why I support the authors’ idea that the COVID-19 is likely to be a biological weapon. Some economists also
stated that the United States’ economic power could be surpassed by China after this pandemic, which is what I think one of
China’s purposes in creating this deadly virus.

Lastly, Chinese Communist Party’s power does not range only in China. Their members are scattered around the world
and they have a wide range of connections worldwide. There are also some allegations that the World Health Organization’s
secretary general is an accomplice of China, a reason for WHO to praise China’s effort in fighting pandemic and disregarding
Taiwan’s astounding containment to the Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Whether or not these allegations are true, if COVID-19 is a bioweapon or not, countries should be more careful in
leaning towards China and do everything that they can to contain the spread of this virus. Also, leaders of different countries
should set aside their political views and focus first in fighting the pandemic.

https://www.academia.edu/42766417/Critique_Paper_on_Developing_an_Unseen_Weapon_Sars_CoV_2_as_a_Precursor_for_
Unconventional_Chemical_Biological_Warfare_of_the_21st_Century_