The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), the first multilateral disarmament treaty to prohibit an entire category of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), marked its 50th anniversary. The treaty was opened for signature in April 1972 and officially entered into force on 26th March 1975.
What are Biological & Toxin Weapons?
- These weapons use microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi) or toxic substances produced by living organisms to cause disease and death in humans, animals, or plants.
- Examples: Anthrax, Botulinum toxin, Plague.
- Consequences: It may include food shortages, environmental disasters, economic devastation, public fear and mistrust
About Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)
- Full Name: The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction.
- Purpose: BWC bans the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling, and use of biological and toxin weapons.
- Background: It was negotiated by the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland. It supplements the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which only prohibited the use of biological weapons but not their development or stockpiling.
- BWC Membership: Almost universal membership with 188 States Parties and 4 Signatory States (Egypt, Haiti, Somalia, and Syria).
- India is a member of the BWC, reinforcing its commitment to global non-proliferation and disarmament efforts.