America’s Preparedness in Chemical or Biological Attack.

Before we look at the issues, however, we must first look at the origins of these threats on mankind. “As long ago as 429 B.C. the Spartans burned pitch and sulfur to produce poisonous fumes under the city walls of the enemy”(Taylor 1). Chemical weapons were used during WWI that US citizens first saw for the first time, namely on those soldiers who fought in Europe. For those not killed by these gases, the devastating effects of these weapons continued on these soldiers for many years after they returned home from the war.

During World War II (WWII) it was common knowledge that the Germans and Japanese, and to a lesser extent, the US were experimenting with chemical and biological weapons. It was only

after the agreements of post WWI, the Geneva War Conventions, that no country utilized these weapons to any great extent in war. Development, however, was not slowed by these conventions, only usage.

No one citizen of the U.S. knows how prepared we are for an attack of chemical or biological weapons. Here are some facts: “The greatest need for public health review stems from its antiquity. The laws date back to 50-70 years ago, and thus, do not adequately contemplate modern scenarios of probable significant contagious outbreaks”(Kellman 2) and that “The Center for Disease Control has enough stockpile of smallpox vaccines to medicate 12-15 million people”(ABC News 2). How can be considered prepared? Israel is, they “produced enough smallpox vaccine for the entire population”(ABC 2). Israel must care about there people more than the U.S. does.

Since these weapons of mass destruction have been created the world has changed forever. “Recent history demonstrates that neither arms control treaties, global missile defense or the moral aversion associated with the use of biological or chemical weapons will deter the use of these agents as weapons of mass destruction”(Webmedic4u 1). As with any type of conventional threat against the United States and its citizens this country must be ever vigilant and prepared. An equal effort at this preparedness must be exerted by the present administration and future administrations.

The Clinton Administration understood the need for our country in time of attack. “Over the last two years, the (Clinton) Administration has almost doubled the money devoted to protecting Americans against attacks with unconventional weapons”(Solomon 130). There is also a creation of 25 medical emergency teams to be able to react quickly in case of contamination anywhere in the U.S. There is a “Biological and Toxic Weapons Treaty of 1972 which prohibits the development, use, or stockpiling of biological or toxins”(Cobb 52). We have too programs to develop vaccines or immunizations with different organisms.

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