Chemical and Biological Weapons

Chemical and biological weapons are the most dangerous threats that our

soldiers face today. But just how much do most of us know about them? The

American public had been bombarded by stories of how our government keeps secret

weapons, does secret experiments, and the everlasting conspiracies. And many

accept it all. Rather than simply trusting our government, (which is perhaps as

foolish as believing several unsubstansiated theroies), I've compiled several

simple facts regarding recent and historic developments in chemical and

biological warfare.

Chemical weapons are defined as chemical substances of gas, liquid, or

solid which are used because of a directly toxic effect upon humans, animals, or

plants. Biological weapons are living organisms, whatever their nature, or the

materials that are created because of their use. Biological weapons can cause

disease or death in living organisms, and are depended upon for their further

ability to multiply inside the organism that it attacks. Even though the two

weapons are closely related, chemical weapons are used far more commonly because

they are inexpensive to make and use. Chemical weapons are more dangerous to

America because of the conflicts we have involved ourselves in. Iraq for example,

has a long and extensive history of using chemical weapons. In the 1980's, Iraq

released poisonous gases against Iranian troops. Iraq has even used chemical

weapons against it's own Kurdish citizens to subdue rebellions. As one of the

aftermaths of the Persian Gulf War, however, Iraq agreed to giveup all materials

and equipment for making chemical and biological weapons. An organization called

UNSCOM or United Nations Special Commissions on Iraq was formed to ensure that

Iraq followed through upon it's promises. However, when Lt. Hussein, Saddam

Hussein's son-in-law and director of Iraq's weapons program, defected, it was

found that Iraq had been dishonest in it's reports to UNSCOM. for four years.

Today, everyone has heard even a passing reference to Gulf-War Syndrome. In 1994,

a Congressional report examined eyewitness accounts and declassified operation

logs. They concluded that United States