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Article: Biological Warfare
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- Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence, andSecurity
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Biological Warfare
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JUDYTH SASSOON
Biological warfare, as defined by the United Nations, is the use of any living organism (e.g. bacterium, virus) or an infective component (e.g., toxin), to cause disease or death in humans, animals, or plants. In contrast to bioterrorism, biological warfare is defined as the "statesanctioned" use of biological weapons on an opposing military force or civilian population. Biological weapons include pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and biological toxins. Of particular concern are genetically altered microorganisms, which are engineered to target a specific group of people.
Early History of Biological Warfare
Examples of the use of biological ...