A century of biological-weapons programs (1915–2015): reviewing the evidence. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carus, W. Seth
• Is Part Of: Nonproliferation review. Volume 24:Issue 1/2(2017)
• Page Start: 129
• Page End: 153
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: biological weapons -- history -- proliferation; 327.17405
• DOI: 10.1080/10736700.2017.1385765
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1073-6700

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article reviews what is known about the proliferation of biological-weapon programs during the past century. Collecting information on biological-weapon programs is difficult, even for intelligence organizations, and there is limited information available on the extent and character of past programs. A review of the open-source literature supports claims that twenty-three states had, probably had, or possibly had a program. The number of active programs has varied over time, from a low of zero in 1920 to a high of possibly as many as eight in 1990. Program size and sophistication also has varied enormously; most were small and unsophisticated, and many existed for only a short period of time.