Biological weapons control. Prospects and implications for the future
R. P. Kadlec, A. P. Zelicoff and A. M. Vrtis
Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, DC, USA.
The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC), which prohibits the
acquisition of biological materials for hostile purposes and armed
conflict, entered into force in 1975 and now has the participation of 140
nations (158 nations have signed the BWC, but only 140 of these have also
ratified it). However, there is no monitoring mechanism associated with the
BWC. Diplomatic efforts are now under way to create a supplemental, legally
binding protocol to strengthen the convention. Measures to strengthen the
BWC are analogous to the diagnostic processes familiar to physicians; the
problem facing negotiators is to identify procedures with high positive and
negative predictive value. Few proposed measures meet these criteria.
However, the investigation of unusual disease outbreaks and allegations of
use are highly diagnostic of illicit activities while avoiding
false-positive accusations. At the same time, such information generated by
the BWC can contribute to worldwide efforts to improve public health,
control emergent disease, and establish an international norm against
biological weapons proliferation.
