Bio Warfare

Biowarfare is closely related to knowledge about diseases. The opportunities for the weaponisation of diseases began with scientific breakthroughs in the early 1970s. In 1973, the first gene was cloned, and three years later the first company to exploit technology based on recombinant DNA was found in the United States. Biotechnology has immense potential to improve biological warfare capabilities. However, the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) came into being in 1975; as a result, during the last 30 years, even though science has evolved further, no clear attempts have been made to develop new weapons.

Since September 11, 2001, the detection of bioweapons has become a priority in many countries. The Anthrax letters are a case in point. In the United States, many laboratories are developing various technologies that have direct homeland security applications, and bio-detection systemshave become a top priority. Two distinct but complementary approaches are being pursued in the bioweapons detection arena. In order to identify the physical characteristics of a “germ cloud” present in the atmosphere some distance away from a detector system, air sampling sensors are installed on platforms facing the threat. In particular, micro-air vehiclesare sent as probes into the suspect area, providing digital information by data link. In an amphibious scenario, air and water sampling units could be mounted on floating buoys or low velocity missile probes.