Biological and Chemical Defense Readiness within the United States of America - Coursework Example

Biological and Chemical Defense readiness within the United States of America Name Course Instructor’s Name 27th April 2010 Factors behind the spread and use of biological and chemical weapons The United States of America is not safe from biological and chemical weapons. These weapons threaten both national security as well as the United States foreign policy (Homeland Security, 2010). The major sectors affected include the military force, military equipment and weapon acquisition, activities of defense, economic policy as well as foreign policy (Emergency Management Institute, 2010). This is because of many factors, which make the spread and use of such weapons to continue. These factors include increased development in technologies, free movement of people, information and goods, increasing differences in the capabilities of conventional defenses and military, the prestige of having nuclear power and powerful missiles and unwillingness by powerful nations to cooperate in non-proliferation of these weapons. Another hindering factor to the control of these weapons especially the biological weapons is that they are usually produced using equipments and materials, which are legitimately used in agricultural, industrial and medical fields (Collins, 2002). As the accessibility of biotechnology becomes easy, the development of biological weapons is also expected to rise among terrorist groups hence enhancing the spread of these weapons. It is also very difficult to detect and combat the effects caused by biological weapons developed in a different nation from that targeted (Homeland Security, 2010). Thus, the use of such weapons can have great destruction of food crops and casualties. The control of the spread and use of chemical weapons is also a major problem. This is because the materials required for the production of these weapons are found worldwide (Mauroni, 1998). Furthermore, the facilities that can be used to produce these weapons can be concealed so that monitoring bodies cannot be able to discover them in time. This was exemplified by what happened in Japan in 1995 when the Tokyo city was attacked by Aum Shinrikyo cult members by the sarin chemical. Thus, some key areas that could enhance the proliferation of biological and chemical weapons have been identified by the Central Intelligence Agency. These includes biotechnology development; most countries can produce the biological weapons and or chemical weapons without necessarily importing raw materials; some nations have concealed the production of this weapons since most of the materials used have many applications in medicine, agriculture and industry (Homeland Security, 2010). Other countries are acquiring ballistic and cruise missiles to deliver the biological and chemical weapons; there is migration of scientist with knowledge of developing these weapons from former Soviet Union and some terrorist are interested in these weapons. Confronting a biological and or chemical weapon attack and associated problems In an event of a biological or chemical attack, one can defend her/himself only after detection through protective clothing, decontamination of the chemical or biological agent and getting medication (Emergency Management Institute, 2010). Detection in most cases need to be undertaken by state agencies especially defense and health sector (Mauroni, 1998). This facilitates timely reporting and alert of the public to take the necessary protective actions. However, it is challenging to detect the occurrence of such attack especially by biological weapons, which take more time to manifest. Protection against chemical or biological weapon after an attack is solely an individual’s responsibility (Homeland Security, 2010). Decontamination of the biological or chemical weapon involves neutralization of the chemical or biological agent contained in the weapon used. This may be done by heath workers or the military agency once the agent or the chemical has been identified and only if there is an antidote for it. Some medication may be provided to individuals affected by the chemical or biological agent used (Collins, 2002). This can only occur if there is an existing medication for that particular ailment caused by the agent used. However, most of the biological agents that may be used, especially viral agents, may not have medication. Thus in the case of viral attacks those not affected need to be vaccinated in time if the vaccine is in lace to reduce the proliferation of the effects of the agents used in the weapon (Homeland Security, 2010). In spite this, chemical weapons are usually short lived and most of them dissipate after a short period of time and hence there attacks are not as severe as the biological weapons and they can be easily detected (Mauroni, 1998). What efforts are in place to combat the proliferation and use of the biological and chemical weapons? All technologies and activities directed towards prevention, diagnosis, treatment and detection of disease resulting from biological weapon use constitutes biological and chemical defense (Emergency Management Institute, 2010). For one or a group of people quickly to undertake protective actions, they need to be alerted in time. This can only happen when effective detection mechanisms are in place. Most biological and chemical weapons are usually weapons of mass destruction. There have been efforts to combat the spread and countering the effects of such weapons in the United States of America. In 2002, strategies to combat these weapons were released by white house (Homeland Security, 2010). They included efforts directed toward combating the proliferation of these weapons, strengthening the non-proliferation of these weapons and putting in place measures to manage the consequences of the use of such weapons (Kosal, 2009). According to these strategies the proliferation was to be countered through interdiction of expatriates, technologies and materials required to develop such weapons in countries which known to be hostile and organizations which are linked to terrorist activities (Kosal, 2009). Since the 2001 anthrax related weapon assaults, there has been increased expenditure on biological defense which is not military related (General Accounting Office Washington Dc., 2001). This expenditure is aimed at providing knowledge and skills to different people on how to approach defense against attack by biological weapons collectively and how successively biological defense can be measured (Decker, 2009). Many non governmental organizations have been formed to combat the spread and use of such weapons (Homeland Security, 2010). They include The Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Project, the Sunshine Project, which advocate development of safe biotechnology products and the Emergence, and Research Institute. All these and many others advocate for the reduced use of these weapons among different nations (Emergency Management Institute, 2010). Recommendations As discussed above, biological and chemical weapon development can go unnoticed in many states. Thus to reduce the chances of United States of America or any country to be attacked by such weapons there is need for the United States of America government to be proactive in the inspection of any suspect countries (Decker, 2009). The international organization in charge of this and confiscation of the materials and the equipments that may be used to develop these weapons. There is also need for the United States of America government to collaborate with other development partners to enhance monitoring and increase surveillance of such activities that may encourage the development of such weapons (Decker, 2009). As noted earlier, the development of such weapons by terrorists or countries supporting terrorists’ activities may go unnoticed. Thus, the United States of America need to continue and enhance the war against terrorism and encourage like minded states to join the fight (Homeland Security, 2010). The movement of scientist posses a threat to the spread of the development and use of the chemical and biological weapons as noted before (General Accounting Office Washington Dc., 2001). Thus the united states of America need to come up with an international treaty that requires the census and the monitoring of the movement of scientist especially those in the fields of biotechnology and chemical engineering so as to know of any possible development of these weapons (Decker, 2009). In addition, all institutions carrying out research in the fields of biotechnology and chemical engineering need to be monitored closely to avoid any possible development of the biological and chemical weapons (Emergency Management Institute, 2010). These weapons pose a major threat to humanity especially the biological weapons. The detection and subsequent treatment is very difficult in most cases (Decker, 2009). Thus the federal defense and other agencies involved in medical research need to intensify research in the fields of vaccine development especially for the known viruses (Homeland Security, 2010). This could be useful in combating attacks by the biological agents. There is also need to increase the training of the medical professionals in order to have enough personnel to attend to many casualties in cases of attacks by these agents. The government also needs to be on the forefront in advocating for strengthening of the Chemical and Biological Weapon (CBW) Convention Bulletin, which promotes the elimination of the biological and chemical weapons globally. The government should also encourage the training of intelligence personnel to be able to reveal any country involved in the development of these weapons (General Accounting Office Washington Dc., 2001). Conclusion The control of the proliferation and use of the biological and chemical weapons is beyond the capabilities of a single country. It requires concerted efforts among different nations. However, each country has the responsibility of protecting its citizens against attacks by these weapons. Thus, United States of America government has the responsibility of using all power at its disposal to advocate and fight the reduction of such weapons. The United States of America should also put in place any possible mechanisms to combat any consequence of an attack by either biological or chemical weapons. References Collins, J. (2002). Military strategy: principles, practices, and historical perspectives. New York: Brassey’s Publishers. Decker, R. (2009). Chemical and Biological Defense: Units Better Equipped, But Training and Readiness Reporting Problems Remain: Congressional Report. Washington: DIANE Publishing. Emergency Management Institute. (2010). IS-700. National Incident Management System (NIMS), an Introduction. Available at http://emilms.fema.gov/IS700a/indexMenu.htm General Accounting Office Washington Dc. (2001). Chemical and biological defense DOD needs to clarify expectations for medical readiness. Washington: DIANE Publishing. Homeland Security. (2010). About the Department. Available at http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/laws/gc_1214592333605.shtm Kosal, M. (2009). Nanotechnology for chemical and biological defense. New York: Springer Publishers. Mauroni, A. (1998). Chemical-biological defense: U.S. Military policies and decisions in the Gulf War. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group. Read More

These includes biotechnology development; most countries can produce the biological weapons and or chemical weapons without necessarily importing raw materials; some nations have concealed the production of this weapons since most of the materials used have many applications in medicine, agriculture and industry (Homeland Security, 2010). Other countries are acquiring ballistic and cruise missiles to deliver the biological and chemical weapons; there is migration of scientist with knowledge of developing these weapons from former Soviet Union and some terrorist are interested in these weapons.

Confronting a biological and or chemical weapon attack and associated problems In an event of a biological or chemical attack, one can defend her/himself only after detection through protective clothing, decontamination of the chemical or biological agent and getting medication (Emergency Management Institute, 2010). Detection in most cases need to be undertaken by state agencies especially defense and health sector (Mauroni, 1998). This facilitates timely reporting and alert of the public to take the necessary protective actions.

However, it is challenging to detect the occurrence of such attack especially by biological weapons, which take more time to manifest. Protection against chemical or biological weapon after an attack is solely an individual’s responsibility (Homeland Security, 2010). Decontamination of the biological or chemical weapon involves neutralization of the chemical or biological agent contained in the weapon used. This may be done by heath workers or the military agency once the agent or the chemical has been identified and only if there is an antidote for it.

Some medication may be provided to individuals affected by the chemical or biological agent used (Collins, 2002). This can only occur if there is an existing medication for that particular ailment caused by the agent used. However, most of the biological agents that may be used, especially viral agents, may not have medication. Thus in the case of viral attacks those not affected need to be vaccinated in time if the vaccine is in lace to reduce the proliferation of the effects of the agents used in the weapon (Homeland Security, 2010).

In spite this, chemical weapons are usually short lived and most of them dissipate after a short period of time and hence there attacks are not as severe as the biological weapons and they can be easily detected (Mauroni, 1998). What efforts are in place to combat the proliferation and use of the biological and chemical weapons? All technologies and activities directed towards prevention, diagnosis, treatment and detection of disease resulting from biological weapon use constitutes biological and chemical defense (Emergency Management Institute, 2010).

For one or a group of people quickly to undertake protective actions, they need to be alerted in time. This can only happen when effective detection mechanisms are in place. Most biological and chemical weapons are usually weapons of mass destruction. There have been efforts to combat the spread and countering the effects of such weapons in the United States of America. In 2002, strategies to combat these weapons were released by white house (Homeland Security, 2010). They included efforts directed toward combating the proliferation of these weapons, strengthening the non-proliferation of these weapons and putting in place measures to manage the consequences of the use of such weapons (Kosal, 2009).

According to these strategies the proliferation was to be countered through interdiction of expatriates, technologies and materials required to develop such weapons in countries which known to be hostile and organizations which are linked to terrorist activities (Kosal, 2009). Since the 2001 anthrax related weapon assaults, there has been increased expenditure on biological defense which is not military related (General Accounting Office Washington Dc., 2001). This expenditure is aimed at providing knowledge and skills to different people on how to approach defense against attack by biological weapons collectively and how successively biological defense can be measured (Decker, 2009).

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