What should be done to combat bioterrorism and biological weapons?

Committee – WHO
Country – Russia
Delegate- Trish Chugh

Russia handles counterterrorism from a counterintelligence perspective; when

Russia cooperates, it is more to extract information than to pursue shared
solutions.

The Covid-19 outbreak has revealed the susceptibility of numerous global

powers if rogue nations or terrorist organizations deploy biological weapons
against them. Following World War II, various governments, including the US,
UK, and USSR, engaged in the development of sophisticated biological weapons
programs. Major Factors Bioterrorism or an attack: It is the deliberate release of
pathogens that can infect or kill humans, animals, and/or crops. Biological
weapons cause sickness in people, animals, or plants by using microbes and
organic poisons. Rickettsia, bacteria, viruses, biological poisons, and fungi may
all be used to create biological weapons. When used in conjunction with a
delivery method like a missile or aerosol device, these chemicals can be used as
biological weapons. One of the agents to be employed in a biological attack is the
bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which produces anthrax. The airborne spread of
diseases throughout a significant population area is the worst-case scenario for
bioterrorism. Tropical agricultural viruses or pests can be employed as anticrop
agents to undermine global food security. Small doses of biotic agents may easily
be concealed, transferred, and released into vulnerable populations, making it a
serious concern. It may have an effect and expose both military and civilian
vulnerabilities to biological weapons and the difficulty of providing adequate
precautions. According to specialists in bioweapons, bioterrorists now lack the
biotechnological ability to create super pathogens or superpests. The novel
coronavirus known as Covid-19 is said to have arisen in bats. Initially, some
intelligence services reported that coronaviruses originated naturally, but
subsequently suggested that the pandemic may have started in a lab in Wuhan,
China. This was because researchers there likely discovered how coronaviruses
might adapt to target people. The pandemic virus may have been created or
altered, however, there is currently no evidence to support this. The possibility of
biological warfare becomes significant in the Indian setting and cannot be
completely ruled out given the presence of hostile neighbors like Pakistan and
China. The European Union (EU), Russia, and China are all working to prevent
bioterrorism and biowarfare. The intention is to make it more difficult for
terrorists to access the materials needed to create biological weapons. These
initiatives should focus on rapid detection and information sharing. International
intelligence services ought to cooperate and exchange reliable information.
utilizing human resources, laboratory resources, and information oversight in
creative, acceptable methods that enable the quick identification and
classification of dangers For an effective reaction to a bioterror attack, quick
identification and monitoring are crucial. Examining pathogens Rapid and
consistent methodologies enable the identification of a wide variety of diseases
potentially useful as biological weapons. Pathogens are a common component of
the environment and can make detection efforts more difficult. Increasing the
Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention's effectiveness The Biological and
Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) of 1972 forbids signatory countries from
developing, producing, stockpiling, or otherwise acquiring or retaining microbial
or other biological agents or toxins, regardless of their origin or method of
manufacture, of kinds and in numbers that have no justification for preventive,
protective, or other peaceful reasons. These substances may be used for hostile
intentions or in armed conflict through the employment of weapons, equipment,
or delivery systems. However, no precise verification technique can guarantee
BTWC adherence. So that it can aid in identifying and effectively preventing
biological weapons activities, efforts must be taken to improve the BTWC. 2015
saw India ratify the agreement and make a commitment to uphold its
responsibilities. Systematic Biodefense big metropolitan agglomerations should
upgrade and deploy biodefense systems to guard against devastating disease
epidemics brought on by bioterrorism. The Soviet Union installed several
Biodefense systems all around the country during the Cold War. creating and
preserving vaccines and antimicrobial drugs that can protect humans from
diseases brought on by biological weapons. instructing emergency personnel on
how to respond to a biological weapons assault. the improvement of
epidemiological and diagnostic laboratory capacities. Way ahead It is necessary
to revise the research that has been done to determine the real effectiveness of
counter-bioterrorism measures since they are insufficient. Now more than ever,
it's critical to make focused, rigorous efforts to research how well counter-
bioterrorism measures work. It should be taken into account that the application
of some particular counter-bioterrorism techniques may have an impact on the
Rule of Law, fundamental democratic principles, and institutional liberties.