Biological Weapons: Can Fear Overwhelm Inaction?

In: The Washington quarterly, Band 28, Heft 1, S. 165-178

Abstract

Discusses difficulties involved in implementing a worldwide ban on biological weapons. Major obstacles to establishing an international norm against biological weapons include the reality that some individuals/groups will do anything to win a territorial or ideological battle; the dual-use nature of the equipment & knowledge needed to make biological weapons; & world leaders who condemn others for having biological weapons but insist on keep such weapons themselves. International attempts to develop a global norm against biological weapons are traced from the 1925 Geneva Protocol & include the 1972 Biological & Toxin Weapons Conventions (BWC) & export controls on dual-use items. Problems that have plagued the BWC since its adoption are pointed out. Talks to explore the feasibility of monitoring the treaty led to a draft protocol in 2001 that was rejected by the US on grounds that it would jeopardize trade secrets & national security. Although the US proposed initiatives to substitute for a monitoring protocol, multilateral action to enforce a norm against biological weapons is unlikely in the near future. J. Lindroth