The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (usually referred to as just Biological Weapons Convention, abbreviation: BWC) was the first multilateral disarmament treaty banning the production of an entire category of weapons (with exceptions for medical and defensive purposes in small quantities). It was the result of prolonged efforts by the international community to establish a new instrument that would supplement the 1925 Geneva Protocol. April 10 is the 100th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (101st in leap years). ... 1972 was a leap year that started on a Saturday. ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (86th in leap years). ... 1975 was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ... The Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, usually called the Geneva Protocol, is a treaty to ban the use of chemical and biological weapons. ...

It was opened for signature on April 10, 1972 and entered into force March 26, 1975 when twenty-two governments had deposited their instruments of ratification. It currently commits the 150 states that are party to it to prohibit the development, production, and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons. However, the absence of any formal verification regime to monitor compliance has limited the effectiveness of the Convention. April 10 is the 100th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (101st in leap years). ... 1972 was a leap year that started on a Saturday. ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (86th in leap years). ... 1975 was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ... Biological warfare, also known as germ warfare, is the use of any organism (bacteria, virus or other disease_causing organism) or toxin found in nature, as a weapon of war. ...

The BWC specifically does not outlaw use of such weapons, only their production, storage, and means of delivery. Use of such weapons could, however, be considered unlawful by a number of existing Geneva Convention protocols and international law.

As stated by the BWC:

"Each State Party to this Convention undertakes never in any circumstances to develop, produce, stockpile or otherwise acquire or retain:

• (1) Microbial or other biological agents, or toxins whatever their origin or method of production, of types and in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes;

• (2) Weapons, equipment or means of delivery designed to use such agents or toxins for hostile purposes or in armed conflict."

Controversy

A long process of negotiation to add a verification mechanism began in the 1990s. Early in 2001, however, the Bush administration, after conducting a review of policy on biological weapons, decided that the proposed protocol did not suit the national interests of the United States, claiming that it would interfere with legitimate commercial and biodefense activity — unlike most arms control agreements, the BWC also applies to private parties. Opponents of this action believe these concerns are outweighed by the potential reactions of other nations and militant groups, who may now view the U.S. as a greater threat. // Events and trends The 1990s are generally classified as having moved slightly away from the more conservative 1980s, but otherwise retaining the same mindset. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the 43rd and current President of the United States and a former Governor of the State of Texas. ... Arms control is a broad term alluding to a range of political concepts and aims. ...

Having been suspended in December, 2001, negotiations for a verification protocol are resuming in November, 2003. [1]

In late September 2005 it was uncovered that the US army have asked companies to tender the production of bulk quantities of a non-virulent strain of anthrax. Furthermore, they have also looked into the equipment for producing large volumes of other biological agents. Although the strain of anthrax they have contracted is not thought to be harmful to humans. However, it does raise questions on how commited the US are with the BWC. A biological agent is an infectious disease that can be used in bioterrorism or biological warfare. ...

See also

• weapons of mass destruction

Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) generally include nuclear, biological, chemical and, increasingly, radiological weapons. ...

External links

• The Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention website
• Full Text of the Biological Weapons Convention
• UN's Biological Weapons Convention webpage