biological weapons
Pathogen-based armaments
Biological weapons are armaments that use pathogens—bacteria, viruses, or toxins—to cause disease in humans, animals, or crops.
Unlike conventional weapons that destroy through force, biological weapons exploit contagion and infection.
They are banned under international law by the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention, though concerns persist about secret development programs.
The category includes both refined laboratory agents and cruder forms like anthrax spores sent through mail.
- anthraxSpore-forming bacterial disease
- bioterrorismWeaponized infectious agents
- germ warfareCombat using disease agents
- smallpoxDeadly pustular viral infection
- dirty bombExplosive spreading radioactive contamination
viruses · Aum Shinrikyo · mad scientist · botulinum toxin · biosecurity · gain of function · virulence · bacteria · biologicals · spores · toxin · infectious diseases · ricin · CDC · nerve agent · aerosol · hazmat · hazmat suit
- Arms Treatiesdisarmament, arms limitation, arms reduction, weapon bans, cluster munitions
- weaponsknife, gun, sword, swords, rifle
- Weaponryrifles, shotguns, grenades, missiles, bombs
- global threatsterrorism, nuclear war, cyberattacks, pandemic, climate collapse
- Saddam's IraqSaddam Hussein, Republican Guard, Baghdad, Tikrit, fedayeen
- Superweaponsnuclear bomb, atomic bomb, hydrogen bomb, neutron bomb, thermonuclear bomb
biological weaponsconventional weapons
Non-WMD military equipment
conventional arms · nuclear weapons · small arms · firearms · explosives
biological weaponsvaccines
Preparations conferring immunity
medicines · antibiotics · antidotes · cures · therapeutics
biological weaponshumanitarian aid
Crisis relief for sufferers
medical supplies · relief supplies · peace treaties · diplomatic solutions · food aid
biology, weapons, biological, biologist, biologists, biologically, microbiology, bioweapon, biohazard