Bioweapons have often remained a less debated subject in global dialogue as compared to other weapons of mass destruction. However, the recent development in technologies have lowered the barriers of designing new bioweapons and resurrected the threat of biowarfare. This has culminated in increasing recognition of such weapons in the global intelligence community and a review of existing regulations to ensure one remains updated to tackle with the renewed biological weapons threat. India is also vulnerable to biological attacks given the poor primary healthcare network, conducive environment and conflicting relations with neighbouring countries.

One of the chief consequences of the world wars was the development of better and sophisticated weapon systems. It signified a transition from traditional to non-conventional means of warfare that included biological weapons (BW). These weapons are varied kinds and can also constitute the development of anti-crop agent which can trigger a famine across the country and the intentional outbreak of animal diseases to target the livestock of the nation. These attacks have a long term effect on the economy and health of the population. With weapons aiming to destroy the long term sustainability of a country, the need to enhance the security mechanisms, to mitigate their use becomes inevitable.

The Bio-surveillance project of United States in South Korea in facing a serious criticism as it is believed to be a threat to the safety and survival of the local population of South Korea. While both the United States as well as South Korea deny the allegations, and they fail to provide complete information on the issue in the name of so-called ‘national security issue’. The article brings out the contradiction between traditional and non-traditional security approach by putting United States Bio-surveillance Project in South Korea as a case in point.

Recent biological and chemical trends highlights a growing concern regarding an evident indifference with respect to the support of the long standing institution CWC and BWC. This can be attributed to three causes the lowering of thresholds for developing BW and using CW, the demonstrated international lack of will to support these key international institutions, and a questionable ability to deal with the types of mass casualty scenarios as a result of biological or chemical attack.