Biological weapons pose biggest threat to world, scientists warn

THE threat posed to the world by biological weapons is now far greater than that from nuclear and chemical because of the "riotous" development in biotechnology, a leading scientist has warned.

He said if nothing is done, bio-weapons technology could be harnessed by terrorists to target specific ethnic groups to release devastating diseases, such as the 1918 Spanish flu.

Among the biological weapons with the potential to wreak havoc are genetically engineered anthrax and a synthetic version of the polio virus.

The warning came yesterday as the British Medical Association (BMA) published its second report in five years into biological and genetic weapons.

In 1999, the BMA called for the 1975 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) to stop the spread of biological and chemical weapons to be strengthened.

The new report, Biotechnology, Weapons and Humanity II, warned that the "window of opportunity" to tackle the spread of these weapons is shrinking fast.

Professor Malcolm Dando, the head of Peace Studies at Bradford University, who has studied arms control for 20 years, wrote the report. He said: "What we are talking about here is the development of a technology which could clearly be misused by terrorists or deranged individuals.

"We have a much more difficult problem in controlling biological weapons (as opposed to nuclear) in the long term. If life sciences are misused there are major threats to human rights, human dignity and human safety."

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the head of science and ethics at the BMA, said it was appropriate for a medical association to report on weapons of mass destruction. She explained: "As far as doctors are concerned, the issue of weapons control is important, because at the end of the day doctors literally pick up the pieces."

The reason for publishing a second report only five years after the first was because biological science had developed so rapidly, she said.

"It’s never been easier to develop biological weapons - all you have to do is look on the internet."

She went on: "The situation today is arguably worse than it was when we published our last report five years ago.

"The very existence of international laws to protect us is being questioned, and the anthrax attacks in the US in 2001 caused widespread panic."

Urging the international community to take up the issue, she said: "This report does not make comfortable reading, but it is essential governments take action on this issue now. If we wait too long it will be virtually impossible to defend ourselves."

The BMA studied the impact of terrorist atrocities such as September 11, the anthrax attacks of 2001, the Moscow theatre siege in 2002 and the Beslan tragedy this year.

In 1975, the BTWC was set up to provide some protection over biological weapons. Calls in 1999 to strengthen the convention "failed abysmally", after the US government claimed imposing controls on bio-technology would interfere with benign research being carried out.

As a result, the US pulled out of international talks aimed at boosting the BTWC in 2001.

The issue is now being used as a political football in the US, with the Democratic presidential contender, John Kerry, hinting that he would consider a multi-lateral agreement if he got into office.

In its recommendations today, the BMA report urged the international community to try to find a way to increase the power of the BTWC.

It also called for scientists to realise the potential risks and responsibilities associated with their cutting-edge work.

Dr Nathanson added: "We can never produce 100 per cent security, but what we can do is significantly lessen the likelihood of the knowledge available being misused."

The 165-page report has been sent to the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, as well as numerous international agencies.