History of Biological Warfare Essay Example for Free

History of Biological Warfare Essay Biological warfare, also called germ warfare is the use of bacteria, toxins, virus or harmful organism by the military as weapons of war against the enemy. This means that a small quantity of these microorganisms have the capability to kill millions of people if spread evenly and effectively. These biological weapons can also cause sickness to enemy soldiers and disrupt enemy’s logistics and supply lines. Although biological warfare as such has hitherto not taken place on a large scale, yet assuming and apprehending its probable occurrence, many nations have built their individual defensive strategies to be on the safe side. On the basis of this assumption and probability, much research for the purpose of defense against biological weapons has been conducted by the scientists, highly sensitive industries and the governments. But since carrying out germ-warfare against humanity or using harmful bacteria or organism against human beings was considered entirely inhumane, an international treaty banning biological weapons came into force in 1975. By virtue of this treaty, production, possession, and use of such weapons were completely prohibited. More than 150 nations signed this treaty. Deadly Forms of Warfare in History The origin of biological warfare is traced back in ancient times, when the Assyrians, in 6th century B. C poisoned enemy wells with poisonous herbs (eukaryotes or fungi) that cused the enemy lose sanity or consciousness. This was the starting point of biological warfare in human history. Thence onward this typical warfare was used by many in the past e. g. Solon of Athens poisoned the water supply of Phocaea with extremely poisonous herb Veratrum, during his city’s siege; the archers of Scythian, during 4th century B. C. poisoned the tips of arrows to cause infection into the wounds of enemy; the Spartans used sulfur during the Peloponnesian War in 400 B. C. In medieval times, soldiers used to throw dead bodies into the wells. During the Indian-French wars in1689 and 1763, blankets used by smallpox patients were given to Indians for carrying the disease to the latter. It was Germany, which, during World War I, used poisonous gas for the first time against Allied forces at Belgium and Ypres. The use of poisonous gas by Germany caused about 30 percent of casualties suffered by the US army. The use of poisonous gas proved so fatal and devastating in nature that many nations unanimously agreed to ban the use of gas and extremely harmful chemical substances in future wars. But again it was Iraq which breached the agreement and used chemical weapons against Iran in eight years long war (1980-1988). Iraq was also held responsible for using chemical weapons against the independence seeking Kurdish people. Relatively New Forms of Warfare Some of the new forms of warfare that have lately engaged nations in the design, technique and art of modern warfare include: 1. Chemical Warfare 2. Biological Warfare 3. Radiological Warfare 4. Mine Warfare 5. Guerrilla Warfare 6. Amphibious Warfare 7. Psychological warfare 8. Siege Warfare 9. Nuclear Warfare From the above forms of warfare, the chemical, radiological, and biological warfare are singled out as ones in which CBR weapons are used for mass killing; disabling millions of people instantly, transmitting fatal diseases into enemy rank and file; incapacitating the enemy physically, and destroying their food supplies. How do they Work? Chemical Warfare Chemical Warfare involves all those chemical substances which affect the nervous as well as the respiratory systems, besides affecting skin, eyes, and nose. The chemicals, which include gases, liquids, and powders, can be sprayed from airplanes, dropped as bombs, fired in the form of artillery shells, or spread over the area through land mines. But there are some colorless and odorless nerve agents which, if inhaled, can cause immediate death while some chemical agents can cause temporary blindness or confusion. The mustard gas also called ‘Blister Agent’ caused many casualties during World War I. But it is quite relieving to see the chemical agents not widely used in warfare since the end of World War I (1918). Radiological Warfare Radiological Warfare involves those substances that give off radiation, and which may damage the internal organs of a person and even cause death. Radiological warfare is extremely dangerous because the released radioactivity in the process renders the entire area unfit for human life. Mine Warfare Mine Warfare is the use of explosive devices called mines to kill enemy troops and destroy their ships, tanks, and other equipment. Some mines explode when a person steps on them or run over by a tank or jeep, while the naval mines are detonated by the passing of a ship. The two major kinds of mines are: 1. The Land Mines 2. The Naval Mines The main types of land mines are:1) antipersonnel mines, 2) antitank mines, 3) chemical mines, 4) controlled mines, and 5) nuclear mines. There chief four kinds of naval mines include: 1) acoustic mines, 2) contact mines, 3) magnetic mines, and 4) pressure mines Guerrilla warfare Guerrilla warfare is conducted by the fighter bands that employ the tactics of sudden raids, ambushes, and other attacks on small-scale. The term â€Å"Guerrilla† which means â€Å"Little War† in Spanish, was first used by the Portuguese and Spanish armies during the Peninsular War (1808-1814). Amphibious warfare Amphibious warfare is the mode of army operations by land air and sea forces with the objective of capturing a coastal area or a beach. Generally the amphibious operations are considered the most intricate form of modern warfare. During World War II (1939-1945), after Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor and destroyed US naval installations in the Pacific Ocean, a common objective of United States amphibious warfare was to seize islands in order to build their advance on. These air and naval bases were captured for their operations against Japan. Antidotes for Biological Weapons The antidote for biological agents is a complete kit which contains medicines and treatments for nerve gas. It also contains injectors to fight anthrax, and antibiotics and drugs to reduce the effects of radiation exposure. Normally the kits are kept locked in military vans by the army. It is worthwhile noting that according to the briefing documents prepared by the Army Medical Department for the senior medical command in Iraq Millions of dollars worth of such kits are incinerated in Iraq each year. Army spokesman, Foster, D. said that the services policy is to issue the [kits] to each unit prior to deployment, and ensure all unused [kits are] turned in prior to the units redeployment for destruction. Also the vice president for strategic security programs at the Federation of American Scientists, Ivan Oelrich, said that sending the Antidote-kits is a rational policy just in case some terrorist gets hold of 10 gallons of nerve as† (Bob, 2007) Gas Mask Among other protective coverings such as injections of antidotes, gas masks too are used as one of the defensive measures against chemical agents. Gas mask protects a person from breathing poisonous gases and vapors into the lungs. Only air is allowed to enter the mask through the filter pads, which purifies and filters the air. The charcoal which is padded within the cheeks of mask purifies the air by trapping harmful gases and particles. Particulate filters can remove particles of smoke, dust, and even some harmful biological agents. The purifying materials are in the cheeks of present-day masks, which are often part of an entire protective suit. In World War I (1914-1918), masks were used to protect troops against gas attacks. Gas was not used in World War II (1939-1945), but armies had masks in case gas warfare began. During the Persian Gulf War of 1991 and the Iraq War, which began in 2003, gas masks were issued to troops and civilians in areas where it was feared Iraq would attack. (Lussier and Frances M, 2007)

Free from Humans :: English Literature Essays

Free from Humans I did not witness the construction of the nest which had the size of a man’s fist. It would be a great experience since my university course in animal architecture was a source of marvel at how different birds collect different materials to weave, in different fashions, out different forms of nests. I noticed it when one day, as I walked along the straight corridor towards my apartment, something softly fluttering sped across my view. He or she was a little bird rushing into the open air away from this corridor ten-storey above the ground. I turned to where he or she should have come from. Hanging from a thin branch of a tall potted plant scattered with some leaves was this egg-shaped nest with a hole. Tiny twigs and some feathers were used to weave this simple but adequate home. Probably, he or she had plucked some of his or her feathers. That could be painful, I thought. I wondered why this bird had chosen this unattractive thin plant which belonged to a withdrawn neighbor t hree doors away from my apartment. More importantly, staying on a plant that was incapable of concealing it and staying at a height easily reachable by humans was unwise at all. â€Å"Did the footsteps from my hard executive shoes frighten it?† From then on, everyday, I walked past the plant with the slightest sound. At night, as I came back home and passed the plant, I would, taking care not to startle the faint animal, steal a glance at the hole where his or her beak rested. My respect for animals is as natural as animals are beautiful. I can’t comprehend how any human with all its gift in reasoning could inflict pain upon or even kill other animals when it knows well that it doesn’t like pain. An ex-colleague, Diane, which was then a fresh Biology graduate, ate the same rice and meat everyday like a one-dimensionally programmed machine without being equipped with sophisticated taste buds to receive tastes and feel textures, not to say being installed with the brain to unify them all as an experience. Its indifference towards good or bad food mirrors its attitude towards animal rights. â€Å"Why should I care? When a cat or dog passes by, I just kick it. They should be sent to laboratories for testing,† Diane’s one-dimensionally programmed brain sent the data to the lifeless tongue which then rattled to output the sound wave.

Proper Paragraphing

PJgQP. BR PARAGRAPHING V^ 1. Remember to always indent your paragraph. 2. Begin with a topic sentence which makes a general statement about what is to follow in your paragraph. This topic sentence controls and limits what can be discussed in the remainder of the paragraph. 3. After you have chosen a good topic sentence, you need to develop the idea into a well-organized paragraph. One way to do this is to use very specific examples that support whatever statement is made in the topic examples in each paragraph. efoutfxuj te, asJcad -fo use, mofc) 4. Every example needs to be followed with an explanation. f how the example helps illustrate the point of vour paragraph. It is never wise to just list the examples and not provide any explanation. sentence. It is wise for you to use at least three . 5 End the paragraph with a sentence that summarizes and concludes the paragraph or the point you are trying to make in your paragraph. This sentence is referred to as a concluding sentence. It signals to the reader that you have said all you are going to say about the topic you are examining in the paragraph. ^^ 6. 7. Remember that a paragraph deals with one main idea and ne topic – not a series of unrelated events and/or topics. As always, you need to be careful about spelling and grammar. IN REVIEW: †¢ a paragraph should be about one topic only. When you need to change topics, create a new paragraph. †¢ your topic sentence should tell your reader exactly what your paragraph is going to be about †¢ each example you use (and you generally will be asked to use at least three examples per paragraph) needs to be backed up by a clear explanation †¢ you must end your paragraph with a concluding sentence †¢ always indent your paragraph and check your spelling ^J and grammar. > i i ‘t i a r; PARAGRAPH OUTLINE w TOPIC SENTENCE: POINT #1: EVIDENCE (INCLUDE CONTEXT FOR QUOTATION); EXPLANATION (HOW DOES EVIDENCE PROVE POINT? ): ^; POINT#2i EVID ENCE: EXPLANATION: POINT # 3: w EVIDENCE: EXPLANATION: CONCLUDING SENTENCE (RELATE WHAT YOU HAVE PROVEN TO TOPIC SENTENCE): r) o ENGLISH – grade 9 and 10 Rubric ~ PARAGRAPH EVALUATION w LR Absent â€Å"V /3 ~ m ^ k -W,  «Ã¢â‚¬ Ã¢â‚¬ ¢* LI Limited L2 Some L3 Considerable L4 Thorough †¢ ,-* Knowledge Clear, focused interesting ideas 0-2 2. 5-3 3. 5-4. 5 5-6. 5 7-7. 5 -Ideas support topic entence -Understanding of topic Thinking (Inquiry) 0-3 -Insights, support -Logical coherent argument -Ideas are interrelated -Relevant evidence to 3. 5-4 4. 5-5. 5 6-7. 5 8-9 support ideas w Communication 0-3 3. 5-4 4. 5-5. 5 6-7. 5 8-9 -Style -Coherence – Purpose is clear -Appropriate and effective use of language -Flow of ideas -Precise, clear choice of words Application 0-1. 5 -Unity, organization -Command of paragraph form (topic/conclusion) -Grammar,spelling,punctuation -Smooth transitions w 2. 5-3 3. 5 4-4. 5 -Requires no editing/error-frce

Use These 50th Wedding Anniversary Toast Quotes

Watching a young couple in love is joy, but watching an aging couple in love is bliss. When a couple has cherished their marriage for 50 years, it certainly calls for a special anniversary event. If youre the one giving the toast, youll want to plan your speech in advance. Its good to keep a celebratory toast under five minutes to keep the event light and fun. And focus on honoring the couple while shying away from embarrassing anecdotes that could make someone uncomfortable. Sprinkle in a toast  quote or two in your speech to help  you express your joy at the occasion and make it extra poignant, whether youre a child of the couple, the party host,  or one of the gold-anniversary  betrothed. Anonymous Newlyweds become oldyweds, and oldyweds  are the reasons that families work. â€Å"You are the parents that all kids hope to have; you are the couple that all lovers hope to be; and you both are the pillars of support that every family wishes it had.   Never laugh at your wife’s choices.  You are one of them.† Love is like an earthquake—unpredictable, a little scary, but when the hard part is over you realize how lucky you truly are. â€Å"You don’t marry someone you can live with. You marry the person who you cannot live without.† Moonlight and roses are bound to fade for every lover and every maid, but the bond that holds in any weather is learning how to laugh. A toast to love and laughter and happily ever after. Felix Adler Love is the expansion of two natures in such fashion that each includes as the other; each is enriched by the other. Pearl S. Buck A good marriage is one which allows for change and growth in the individuals and in the way they express their love. Mahatma Gandhi â€Å"Where there is love there is life.† Erich Fromm Immature love says: I love you because I need you.  Mature love says, I need you because I love you. Greek Proverb The heart that loves is always young. Mignon McLaughlin A successful marriage requires falling in love  many times, always with the same person. Ricardo Montalban â€Å"True love doesn’t happen right away; it’s an ever-growing process. It develops after you’ve gone through many ups and downs, when you’ve suffered together, cried together, laughed together.† Rita Rudner In Hollywood, a marriage is a success if it outlasts milk. Its so great to find one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. Paul Sweeney A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance, and tenacity. The order varies for any given year. James Thurber Love is what youve been through with somebody. Themis Tolis â€Å"To love is nothing. To be loved is something. But to love and be loved, that’s everything.† Vincent van Gogh Love is something eternal—the aspect may change,  but not the essence.