Biochemical Weapons

Smallpox as well as other similar illnesses have always held a strong position of death world wide especially in places of poverty unable to afford vaccines and other medical treatment. In the the podcast #2 unit #1 I listened to, I was shocked as to the great link between diseases, how they can be controlled and terrorism. If placed in the wrong hands these diseases can be used as weapons of mass destruction. In The Siege of Quebec American troops were severely infected with the smallpox virus. Washington was terrified white with the threats of disease loaded missiles pointed at major cities in the U.S. Another example of smallpox used as a weapon occurred in the French Indian war. The English deliberately gave blankets used by smallpox victims to prisoners and the captured who sooner than later died. This is an act of terrorism. Nazi officers were put of trial and sentences to death a life in prison for similar acts against the Jewish during WWII. Is there a difference? Not in my opinion. Since the world is educated enough about disease and how catastrophic it can be, there is a lot of fear surrounding biochemical weapons. If not careful it could start a world war filled with disease and death. In places like America these days there are vaccines to the smallpox virus and other biochemical weapons, but in others where money, medicine and education is limited, they will take an overwhelming hit of destruction. A resurgence of smallpox isn't likely in America but is very much is places of poverty world wide. There have been success in dealing with smallpox and other diseases in the past which have all been a positive in the medical world. The only thing the I can think of that would worry people is the fact that these viruses are still very deadly. Even though in America they have taken a back burner position in annual deaths to cardiovascular disease, cancer, etc. due to advances in medicine, smallpox and other biochemical terrors still should hold a high place of fear.