Biological warfare

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Biological warfare (or germ warfare) is when pathogens are used as a weapon. Pathogens are organisms that can cause disease. If non-living things (like toxins) are used, this is considered to be chemical warfare.

Biological warfare has been used throughout history. Before the 20th century, it took one of the following forms:

Today, pathogens for diseases like anthrax or smallpox could be used as agents for biological weapons.

The production, and stockpiling of such weapons was forbidden in the Biological Weapons Convention of 1972


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