ABSTRACT
Contemporary life has taught us that the double-edged technological sword can be swung in the direction of either good or evil. Individual risks due to technology misuse are greater today than ever before. Our potential of becoming a victim of a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) is accelerating at a rate comparable with the exponential advances in technology and knowledge. During the 1940s the world witnessed the dawn of the nuclear age, leaving some to fear that nuclear weapons would lead to the end of mankind. The 20th century also ushered in the development of two other WMDs: chemical and biological weapons. The risks of these weapons may have been overstated in the past, but recent advances in science and technology provide validity for the concern that mankind is poised for self-destruction.
