Pros And Cons Of Biological Warfare

Biological warfare has been used “…since the onset of human civilization…” (Kostadinov and Galabova, 2010, p. 295). If populations were able to use biological agents back then, it is naïve to think that terrorists will not use them as a weapon of mass destruction. The 2001 Anthrax attacks were the first Anthrax attacks to occur in the U.S. in 25 years (NPR.Org, 2011, p. 2). This attack proves that biological warfare will always be a risk. This is not to say that terrorists are not able to build or obtain a nuclear weapon. In reality, many terrorist organizations would like very much to obtain a nuclear weapon, including Al Qaeda, Chechnya-based separatists, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Aum Shinrikyo (Graham & Dillon, 2010, p. 1). Osama bin laden issued a statement in 1998 declaring that “It is the duty of Muslims to prepare as much force as possible to terrorize the enemies of God” (Graham & Dillon, 2010, p.

According to Allison Graham, Director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, and Douglas Dillon, professor of Government at Harvard Kennedy School, the ways that terrorists may acquire an Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) are the same routes in which illegal immigrants, drugs, and legal goods are delivered (Graham & Dillon, 2010, p. 1). This information suggests that the black market could be used for terrorists to acquire nuclear weapons or the materials to build a nuclear weapon, which was discussed by the class in week one. Jumping back to the subject of biological warfare, the investigation of the 2001 Anthrax attacks ultimately concluded that the attacks were not necessarily constructed or carried out by a terrorist organization, but the attacks were most likely carried out by an American scientist (NPR.Org, 2001, p. 4). Despite years of investigating by the FBI and outside independent investigations conducted by scientist s there was never a proof positive culprit named (NPR.Org, 2001, p.