What is biological weapons proliferation?

Biological weapons proliferation refers to the development, production, acquisition, or transfer of biological weapons—such as bacteria, viruses, or toxins—by states or non-state actors for hostile purposes.12

This issue is characterized by significant uncertainty and difficulty in detection. Because biological weapons programs can be clandestinely housed within legitimate pharmaceutical or vaccine-production facilities, they often lack the distinct signatures associated with other weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear weapons. Furthermore, these programs can be established with relatively small capital investments and limited personnel, making them accessible to smaller states or even terrorist organizations.312

While the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) prohibits such activities, the treaty lacks formal verification or inspection procedures, which has historically allowed for clandestine violations. To combat this, informal associations like the Australia Group work to prevent the exportation of dual-use materials and agents that could be converted into weapons. Ultimately, the proliferation of these weapons is a grave security concern due to their indiscriminate nature and the potential for causing widespread pandemics.31452