Bioweapons, Biodiversity, and Ecocide: Potential Effects of Biological Weapons on Biological Diversity

Many analysts rank cultured and genetically engineered biological organisms as the most dangerous of all existing weapons technologies, with the potential for producing more extensive and devastating effects on human populations than even fusion nuclear weapons (Henderson 1999). Biological weapons (bioweapons) are defined as biological organisms, and substances derived directly from living organisms, that can be used to cause death or injury to humans, animals, or plants. Diseases and biological toxins have been used as weapons of war throughout recorded history, from at least as early as Biblical times to the present day. Historically, bioweapons were used primarily, although not exclusively, for direct attacks against human populations. Biowarfare has historically involved the use of plant and fungal toxins (hellebore, ergot), animal carcasses, human cadavers, disease-contaminated clothing or blankets, and fecal matter (Christopher et al. 1997, Kortepeter et al. 2001). The potential spectrum of bioterrorism ranges from isolated acts against individuals by individuals (rogue scientist or Una bomber-type scenarios) to tactical and strategic military uses and state-sponsored international terrorism intended to cause mass casualties within or among humans or animals or both (Tucker 2000, Zilinskas 2000).