Chemical and biological weapons - Free Essay Example

OUTLINE 1. Intro- Chemical and biological weapons first appeared in a large quantity in the First World War. Chemical weapons, such as sarin, nerve gas, and mustard gas, have to be made in a laboratory. Biological weapons, such as Typhus, Q fever, and Anthrax, can be viruses or bacteria. Chemical and Biological weapons have few advantages and so many disadvantages that the advantages aren’t worth the possible effects. 2. Paragraph 1-advantages that can be turned into disadvantages a. Point 1-killing thousands of enemies . Point 2-not necessary, there are viable, safer alternatives c. Point 3-spread like fire d. Point 4-Kill many, unable to focus on specific targets easily 3. Paragraph 2-Disadvantages that can’t be turned into good things a. Point 1-have lasting effects b. Point 2-Biological weapons micro-organisms c. Point 3-cult attack, terrorism 4. Paragraph 3-Disadvantages-storage and dumping the waste a. Point 1-getting rid of them is a long, costly, dangerous proce ss b. Point 2-two new storage facilities c. Point 3-Chernobyl . Conclusion-chemical and biological weapons are extremely dangerous and harmful. Chemical and biological weapons do get the job done. However, they cause unnecessary deaths in some of the most horrific ways and are difficult to dispose of. This is why they should be banned for safety reasons. Chemical and Biological weapons Chemical and biological weapons first appeared in a large quantity in the First World War. Chemical weapons, such as sarin, nerve gas, and mustard gas, have to be made in a laboratory. Biological weapons, such as Typhus, Q fever, and Anthrax, can be viruses or bacteria. Chemical and Biological weapons have few advantages and so many disadvantages that the advantages aren’t worth the possible effects. There are some â€Å"advantages† to Chemical and biological weapons. Most Chemical and Biological weapons are capable of killing thousands with only one gram of the toxin. But, is loss of life on that scale really necessary to win a war. You could just use bombs. Biological weapons and Chemical weapons spread like a wildfire when unleashed on the public. Biological and chemical weapons that spread like this kill indiscriminately and cause many unintended deaths. Most Biological weapons have many lasting effects. Anthrax, most known for its use with terrorist plots, stays in soil for 50 years. The nuclear fallout from an atomic bomb, which is considered a chemical weapon, can stay in the ground for about fifty years too. Biological weapons are considered alive because they are made up of micro-organisms. Chemical and biological weapons are able to become airborne and cause many injuries. This was demonstrated in 1994, in the city of Matsumoto, population of300, 000, when a cult let loose a cloud of deadly sarin gas just to kill three judges that were prosecuting them. 7 people died and 200 needed a nights stay at the hospital. Getting rid of the chemical and bi ological weapons is a long process. The U. S. government has already destroyed 60% of its stockpiles. The military is planning on building two new storage facilities. These facilities will be located at Blue Grass, Kentucky and Pueblo, Colorado. But, most people do not want any of these weapons near them. If the safety procedures override, the chemical and biological agents might be spread down wind and affect the surrounding areas. It would be like the Chernobyl incident. Chernobyl happened when the reactors melted, spreading radiation downwind. Thousands of people were affected. Think that but with deadly gases and chemicals. Chemical and biological weapons are extremely dangerous and harmful. Chemical and biological weapons do get the job done. However, they cause unnecessary deaths in some of the most horrific ways and are difficult to dispose of. This is why they should be banned for safety reasons and because they cause so many deaths. Works Cited Chemical Weapon. Encly clopaedia Britannica, 2009. Web. . Eisler, Peter. Chemical Weapons Disposal on Fast Track. USA TODAY 5 May 2009: Web. 24 Dec 2009. . Olson, Kyle. Aum Shinriko: Once and Future Threat?. CDC-Emerging Infectious Diseases 5. 4 (1999). Web. 24 Dec 2009. . Sasheedran, WARFARE. WARFARE. 1999. ThinkQuest, Web. 24 Dec 2009. .