ABSTRACT
Scientific advances in chemical and biological sciences can offer significant benefits to humanity, yet these discoveries may also lead to the proliferation of novel classes of chemical and biological weapons and new uses for these weapons. Traditional chemical and biological agents may fall within the remit of existing disarmament and arms control treaties, and international humanitarian law, when targeted against humans. However, historically, many States have also had programmes to develop weapons to target crops and livestock with the aim of denying an adversary food, causing economic damage, and sapping morale. Chemical and biological agents can also be used with strategic effect against materials: disabling an adversary's vehicles and engines, hindering infrastructure function, and causing substances to prematurely degrade. This chapter outlines historical chemical and biological weapons programs, with a focus on programs directed against non-human targets. The chapter highlights the risks posed by the development of new technologies, specifically dual-use chemical and biological agents with weaponisation potential, that may not fall within the existing prohibitions.
