IndexThe historical context of biological weaponsBiological weaponsBioterrorismAction plan to stop bioterrorismResponse to the threat of biological weaponsTerrorists use violence to create a wide range of fears in target population. It's a way to make their specific political objective known. The threat of terrorism has been systematically and widely practiced by various groups for right-wing and left-wing objectives. Some of these political organizations include revolutionaries, religious groups, and even state institutions such as police, armies, and even intelligence services. Revolutionary war uses terror to achieve its goal, however, terrorism has a certain strategic plan that is very different from that of national or political organizations that aim to take over a state. In the 21st century, the use of means of violence against non-combatants by politically motivated terrorists has become a major concern for many nations around the world. This old phenomenon of demoralization and intimidation has led to the loss of many lives and numerous victims with both physical and psychological injuries. The terrorist attack that occurred in the United States on September 11 opened a new level of possibilities for more lethal attacks to inflict maximum harm on innocent civilians. The lives of more than 3,000 people were lost due to simultaneous attacks for which the terrorist group al-Qaeda was responsible. Billions of dollars worth of infrastructure and buildings were supported as a result of this attack. This explains the intensity that a single terrorist attack can cause on a nation. This terrorist group had its terrorist cells stationed in many countries of the world which could reconstitute and reshape themselves as commanded by their senior leaders. The terrorist group al-Qaeda was not a state organization capable of hitting its target when expected. In recent times the use of biology has become one of the successive methods of terrorists to further support their evil agenda. In this research paper, the discussion will be about biological weapons and creating an action plan to stop bioterrorism. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The Historical Context of Biological Weapons Underdeveloped types of biological weapons were used many centuries ago. It is known that in the 6th century BC the mushroom was used by the Assyrians to poison enemy wells and thus make them wander. The increase in knowledge about germ theory has given impetus to the advancement of various techniques in microbiology which has led to the creation of sophisticated bioagents. During World War I, the Imperial German government used anthrax and glanders in biological sabotage. Another notable use of a biological agent is in the pre-Christian era, around 300 BC, animal corpses were used by the Greeks to contaminate the wells of their sworn enemies. The strategy was also practiced by the Romans and Persians. The Battle of Tortona in Italy provides another example of the use of bioagents to contaminate their enemies' water. To accomplish this objective, Emperor Barbarossa's soldiers used the remains of dead soldiers and animals. When the plague struck the Tatar army in the 14th century during the siege of Kaffa, the Tatars catapulted the corpses of their dead comrades towards the walls of the city of Kaffa, this led to a drastic change in the stalemate. The Genoese fled the city and spoke to them about the disease. Further evidence of the use of biological warfare can be traced throughoutthe blockade of Carolstein, Lithuanian soldiers are believed to have catapulted the corpses of captured soldiers into the town. There was a widespread fever among the city's population which made them extremely scared. In the years (1754-1767) during the French and Indian War, a commander of the British army ordered the distribution of smallpox-infected blankets to hostile Indian tribes to counteract their population. The resurgence of the virus lasted among these indigenous peoples for a period of more than 200 years. Biological weapons Another term that can be used as a biological weapon is bacterial weapon. These are a number of pathogens such as viruses, fungi, bacteria, rickettsiae, toxins and many other biological agents. These biological agents can be used by a terrorist as weapons against human beings with the aim of harming them with the intention of furthering their agendas. Just like chemical, nuclear and radiological weapons, biological weapons can also be called weapons of mass destruction. The term “weapon of mass destruction” may not be entirely appropriate when used to describe biological weapons. Biological weapons are not capable of destroying buildings, equipment and infrastructure systems compared to others, but they can cause mass deaths if released into the population. However, due to the indiscriminate and lethal nature of biological weapons, most countries have agreed to classify them as weapons of mass destruction. Biological weapons are capable of unleashing a pandemic that is difficult to control. In 1972, the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) was opened for signature to prohibit its member states from developing, producing, stockpiling, deploying and testing biological weapons. However, most of these member states have resolutely continued to engage in testing their biological capabilities, seeking cheaper but deadly weapons as opposed to the costly process of producing nuclear weapons. The threat of terrorists producing or forcibly seizing these biological weapons is imminent and is an emerging security concern. The types of organisms used in the manufacturing process of these weapons influence their lethality, stability, incubation time, contagiousness, and the process of reversing the effect of the weapons using current drugs and vaccines. The five biological organisms that can be used to make biological weapons are as follows: Bacteria: This is a single-celled microbe that causes diseases such as anthrax, brucellosis, and tularemia. Rickettsia: It can be described as a microbe that looks similar to bacteria but is different in the sense that they are intracellular parasites and multiply by reproducing inside cells. Some of the most important diseases caused by rickettsia include typhoid and Q fever. Viruses: They are intracellular parasites, their size is about 1/100 the size of bacteria, they can be bioengineered to cause diseases such as Venezuelan equine encephalitis. Fungi: Pathogens can be processed and wreak havoc on food crops by causing diseases such as rice blast, grain rust, wheat smut, and potato blight. Toxins: are poisons obtained from plants and animals and can be extracted and used as biological weapons. Snakes, insects, spiders, marine organisms, plants, bacteria and fungi are some of those used. An example of a toxin is ricin, which is extracted from the seeds of castor beans. Biological agents that can be used to cause devastation are easily produced, cheap, and have a very high probability of inflicting maximum damage even when a small amount is eliminated. used forattacks. Through the use of the Internet, unemployed scientists and other documents, procedures and processes available for the preparation of these biological weapons are becoming more and more accessible. Gaining access to these pathogens is quite simple as most are found naturally in our environment or are researched in laboratories, universities or military facilities. Terrorists can even place these bioweapons facilities in legitimate industrial facilities. Bioterrorism Deliberate harm to people, animals or plants through the use of biological agents such as; bacteria, viruses, toxins or any other biological agent, what is called bioterrorism. Most of these biological agents are zoonotic in nature, which has caused much concern and increased awareness about the use of animals in terrorism. Animal caretakers and breeders can diagnose and detect early cases of these barbaric acts when animals are used. Documentation of these biological agents that can be used in an act of terrorism has been classified into categories A, B, and C. In class A, the agents and diseases are easily transmitted from animals to humans, person to person, and they can cause a very high mortality rate and overburden public facilities in the affected area. In this category A there is an exception for smallpox since it does not have an animal reservoir. Category B agents are not as lethal as Category A agents. These agents, if released, result in lower mortality and morbidity rates. Category C agents and diseases are emerging pathogens that can be manipulated and engineered to cause mass spread. Although society has been informed about the precautionary measures to be taken to prevent bioterrorism, much remains to be done to put an end to it completely. More advanced modern laboratory equipment and trained scientists are needed to analyze pathogens, control and investigate these pathogens. Strict international measures should be adopted for the sole purpose of controlling the access of these dangerous biological agents by authorized personnel. Regular and routine checks should be carried out on animals for diseases that may result from acts of terrorism. Scientists and veterinarians working in research laboratories should be assigned the vital role of active surveillance of these biological agents and diseases so as to prevent and eliminate bioterrorist agents. Action Plan to Stop Bioterrorism The risk of a bioterrorism attack is somewhat different from other forms of terrorist attacks we face today, for example, improvised explosives or chemicals or the threat of nuclear attacks. Since the nature of the biological attack is similar to more common diseases and other infectious disorders, a more advanced strategy is needed. Curbing this threat requires a thorough understanding of epidemic diseases. Different forms of approach and cooperation between individual countries are needed. Programs put in place by nations to prevent attacks are inadequate without adequate investments with various partner states. Biological terrorism is a global threat and cannot be taken lightly as a form of “lights and sirens” attack. In the event that a biological attack has occurred, there is no immediate signal that clearly distinguishes it from that of a natural disease. The attack will most likely unfold like an epidemic, infecting most of the population before the authorities realize that it is an attack against their own citizens. Most likely..