bioweapon
Militarized infectious agent
A bioweapon is a biological agent—such as a bacterium, virus, or toxin—weaponized to cause disease or death in humans, animals, or crops.
Bioweapons are banned under international law but remain a concern in warfare and terrorism: Intelligence agencies warned of potential bioweapon attacks.
Also called biological weapon.
Spore-forming bacterial disease
- smallpoxDeadly pustular viral infection
- plagueDeadly epidemic disease
- ricinToxic castor compound
- botulinumParalysis-causing bacterial species
sarin · novichok · chlorine · phosgene · toxin · pathogen · virus · bacteria
Global disease outbreak
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
- epidemicWidespread disease occurrence
- terrorismIntimidation through targeted violence
- asymmetricNot identical on both sides
detection · surveillance · biosecurity · dual-use · black-market · extremist · doomsday · vulnerability
Armed forces collectively
- attackAggressive act against another
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- dispersalSpreading in many directions
- aerosolMist in gas
arsenal · stockpile · deterrent · retaliation · covert · sabotage · assassination · proliferation
Isolation preventing disease transmission
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
- hazmatToxic materials needing precautions
- biosafetyProtection from biological hazards
- vaccinationAdministered immunity booster
antidote · countermeasure · isolation · response · preparedness · stockpiling · early-warning · detection
Facility for scientific investigation
- gain-of-functionAcquired new capability
- synthesisCombining parts into whole
- cultivationFostering growth through care
- enhancementIncrease in quality
virulence · transmissibility · lethality · resistance · mutation · recombinant · chimera · dual-use
anthrax
Spore-forming bacterial disease
botulinum · sarin · novichok · chlorine · phosgene · toxin · pathogen · virus · bacteria · spore
pandemic
Global disease outbreak
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
- epidemicWidespread disease occurrence
- terrorismIntimidation through targeted violence
asymmetric · detection · surveillance · biosecurity · dual-use · black-market · extremist · doomsday · vulnerability · target
military
Armed forces collectively
- attackAggressive act against another
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- dispersalSpreading in many directions
aerosol · arsenal · stockpile · deterrent · retaliation · covert · sabotage · assassination · proliferation · offensive
quarantine
Isolation preventing disease transmission
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
- hazmatToxic materials needing precautions
- biosafetyProtection from biological hazards
vaccination · antidote · countermeasure · isolation · response · preparedness · stockpiling · early-warning · detection · neutralization
laboratory
Facility for scientific investigation
- gain-of-functionAcquired new capability
- synthesisCombining parts into whole
- cultivationFostering growth through care
enhancement · virulence · transmissibility · lethality · resistance · mutation · recombinant · chimera · dual-use · containment
- bio-biography, biodegradable, biofuel, biochemistry, biotech
- hazardsfire hazard, fire hazards, toxin, contamination, tripping hazard
- Biodefenseanthrax, anthrax vaccine, biodefense, smallpox vaccine, vaccine stockpile
- bioweaponsanthrax, biowarfare, germ warfare, smallpox, ricin
- Superweaponsnuclear bomb, atomic bomb, hydrogen bomb, neutron bomb, thermonuclear bomb
- WMDsnuclear weapons, chemical weapons, nukes, atomic bomb, hydrogen bomb
bioweaponmedicine
Curative substance or practice
cure · vaccine · therapeutic · antibiotic · antidote
bioweaponbiodefense
Protection from biological attacks
biosecurity · vaccine · biocontainment · vaccination program · disease prevention