biological warfare

Biological warfare involves the use of biological weapons to harm humans, animals, or plants. These weapons utilize disease-producing agents like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or toxins. While ancient warfare sometimes saw the unintentional spread of disease, modern biological warfare deliberately employs these agents.

Biological weapons are considered weapons of mass destruction, though they cause mass casualties rather than destroy infrastructure. International treaties, such as the Biological Weapons Convention, aim to prohibit their development, production, and use. Despite these agreements, concerns remain about proliferation and the potential for use by states or terrorist organizations, a practice known as bioterrorism.