Deadly cultures : biological weapons since 1945 /

Recent events suggest the possibility of an unimaginable situation in which terrorists could introduce highly virulent, infectious agents into a population. These potential weapons of mass destruction have sparked an interest in the public. Despite the Geneva Protocol of 1928 and Biological Weapons Convention of 1972, many countries continued to develop offensive and defensive bioweapons programs. Contributors to Deadly Cultures present an impressive, comprehensive history of biological terrorism, covering weapons programs in the US, UK, Soviet Union, Canada, France, Iraq, South Africa, and non-Soviet Warsaw Pact countries. An extensive list of references supports discussion of the underlying questions of why countries have become involved in such research and what information has been gained. Included in the text are the policies and politics behind each country's motivations. This book will be useful to anyone seeking a historical perspective on bioterrorism, including undergraduates in history and non-science majors. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. All levels. M. C. Pavao Worcester State College