What is genetic war?

What is genetic war?

Biological warfare, also known as germ warfare, is the use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, insects, and fungi with the intent to kill, harm or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war.

What are the effects of biological weapons?

Bioweapons, Biodiversity, and Ecocide: Potential Effects of Biological Weapons on Biological Diversity: Bioweapon disease outbreaks could cause the extinction of endangered wildlife species, the erosion of genetic diversity in domesticated plants and animals, the destruction of traditional human livelihoods, and the …

What is a genetic bioweapon?

In the bioweapon industry, genetic engineering can be used to manipulate genes to create new pathogenic characteristics aimed at enhancing the efficacy of the weapon through increased survivability, infectivity, virulence, and drug resistance (2).

When was the first biological weapon used?

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.

How are biological weapons deployed?

This can be achieved in a number of ways, such as: via aerosol sprays; in explosive devices; via food or water; or absorbed or injected into skin. Because some pathogens are less robust than others, the type of pathogen used will define how it can be deployed.

What are the causes of biological warfare?

Biological warfare is the deliberate use of disease-causing biological agents such as bacteria, virus, rickettsiae, and fungi, or their toxins, to kill or incapacitate humans, animals, or plants as an act of war.

Can anthrax be genetically modified?

In an apparent first, Russian scientists have genetically engineered a new form of anthrax that may be able to defeat the vaccine that American troops will soon get to protect them against such biological agents, American scientists said yesterday in interviews.

Which of the following is considered a very worrisome bioweapon because it is easy to acquire easy to work with and highly toxic?

Which of the following is considered a very worrisome bioweapon because it is easy to acquire, easy to work with, and highly toxic? terrorist group.

How is bioterrorism made?

A bioterrorism attack is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs (agents) used to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants. Biological agents can be spread through the air, through water, or in food, and may be used by terrorists.

Who was the first person to use biological warfare?

What is the most toxic category A agent of bioterrorism known and how would it be disseminated?

Category A These high-priority agents include organisms or toxins that pose the highest risk to the public and national security: Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)

Who caused the anthrax attacks?

August 19, 2008 • The FBI has revealed new details about the scientific findings that led them to suspect Army scientist Bruce Ivins was responsible for the 2001 anthrax mailings that killed five people. Ivins committed suicide last month.

Where did anthrax come from first?

Anthrax is thought to have originated in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Many scholars think that in Moses’ time, during the 10 plagues of Egypt, anthrax may have caused what was known as the fifth plague, described as a sickness affecting horses, cattle, sheep, camels and oxen.