Gujarat police’s recent seizure of four kg of castor-bean mash, which is used to extract ricin, marks India’s first confirmed seizure of the bio-toxin intended for subversive purposes.
The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) entered into force in 1975. This treaty prohibits the development, production, and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons. This volume offers a comprehensive examination of the BWC's historical development, notable achievements, and the challenges it may encounter in the future. It examines the treaty's role in international security and assesses its effectiveness in preventing the misuse of biology for hostile purpose-a must-read for scholars, policymakers, and security professionals.
It might be difficult to prove any weaponisation intent or man-made origins to the SARS-CoV-2. Yet, the mass deaths and disruption caused by the virus forebodes imminent exploitation of biological agents for political ends.
