What are biochemical weapons?

What are biochemical weapons?

Biological weapons are microorganisms like virus, bacteria, fungi, or other toxins that are produced and released deliberately to cause disease and death in humans, animals or plants.

What was used as the first biological warfare?

One of the first recorded uses of biological warfare occurred in 1347, when Mongol forces are reported to have catapulted plague-infested bodies over the walls into the Black Sea port of Caffa (now Feodosiya, Ukraine), at that time a Genoese trade centre in the Crimean Peninsula.

What kind of weapons are used in biological warfare?

In this Spotlight, we survey their history and potential future. Biological warfare has been used for thousands of years. Sometimes known as “germ warfare,” biological weapons involve the use of toxins or infectious agents that are biological in origin. This can include bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

When did they start using chemical and biological weapons?

1650: Polish artillery general Siemenowics fired spheres filled with the saliva of rabid dogs at his enemies. Lessons learned: Even crude chemical and biological weapons create fear and panic. Biological and chemical warfare is no stranger to American soil.

What was the biological warfare program in World War 1?

This program allegedly featured covert operations. During World War I, reports circulated of attempts by Germans to ship horses and cattle inoculated with disease-producing bacteria, such as Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) and Pseudomonas pseudomallei (glanders), to the USA and other countries ( 10, 11 ).

When was the bacteriological arm of warfare used?

In 1924, a subcommittee of the Temporary Mixed Commission of the League of Nations, in support of Germany, found no hard evidence that the bacteriological arm of warfare had been employed in war ( 11 ). However, the document indicated evidence of use of the chemical arm of warfare.