The History of Using Botulinum Toxin as a Bioweapon

864 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Chemical warfare throughout the wars

While we may think that Botulinum Toxin or “Botox” is only used for cosmetic alteration on our favorite actors or actresses, it is actually a biological substance used by scientist, doctors, and terrorist for a plethora of functions. In the following paper I will first explain what a biological substance and or weapon is to better inform you of Botulinum Toxin. Later in my research I will discuss what affects it actually has on the human body. After careful explanation I will then talk about the side effects associated with proper and improper use. Lastly I will cover the history of using Botulinum Toxin as a bioweapon by terrorist around the world and what our leadership in congress plan to do to stop the efforts of weaponizing Botulinum Toxin. Before we start, what exactly is a biological substance? As defined in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary (Biological, 2014) Biological means of or relating to life and living things. Since the beginning of time there have been biological substances. Think of the flu virus in the early 1900’s, it killed thousands of people. The pathogens that make up this virus multiplied over and over until eventually there was an uncontrollable epidemic throughout the United States (Steinbruner, 1997). Many of us think that the influenza virus was an epidemic that will never happen again but then came other biological agents such as smallpox and the deadly anthrax virus. We’ve come to the realization now that biological substances are the weapons of choice. Yes we do have nuclear and chemical weapons that threaten our society, but these weapons aren’t alive. We must pay greater attention to certain toxins that Americans are injecting into their bodies on a daily basis. So what is Botulinum Toxin? Botulinu... ... middle of paper ... ...emselves with Botulinum Toxin? Works Cited Arnon, S. S. (2001). Botulinum Toxin as a Biological Weapon. Medical and Public Health Managment, 1059-2081. Retrieved from http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/botulism/botulismconsensus.pdf Biological. (2014). In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved May 21, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hacker Marshall, T. C. (2012, December 3). Obama Warns Syria Against Using Chemical, Biological Weapons. Retrieved from American Forces Press Service: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=118698 Meyer, R. (2004). The Phychological Effects Of Weapons Of Mass Destruction (WMD) On Military and Civilian Personnel. United States Government. Nigam, A., & Nigam, P. (2010). Botulinum Toxin. Indian Journal Of Dermatology , 8-14. Steinbruner, J. D. (1997). Biological Weapons: A plague upon all houses. Foreign Policy, 85-96.

Show More
Related

  • Military Leaders: The Life of Colonel McBride

    938 Words  | 2 Pages

    3Brophy, L. (1959). The Chemical Warfare Service (1st ed.). Washington: Office of the Chief of

    Read More

  • Dugway Incident of 1969

    903 Words  | 2 Pages

    Guillemin, J. (2005). Biological weapons: From the invention of state-sponsored programs to contemporary bioterrorism Columbia University Press.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of President Barack Obama's Speech To The Nation On Syria

    1087 Words  | 3 Pages

    The night before the anniversary of 9/11 in 2013, Barack Obama delivered a speech to the United States of America on the subject of Syria’s inhumane use of chemical weapons on its own citizens. The United States’ intelligence analysts estimated that more than 1,400 civilians were killed due to the chemical warheads that were launched on the area right outside of Damascus. In President Barack Obama’s address to the nation on Syria, he attempts to persuade the American people to support his plan of a targeted air strike on Syria. By describing the victims of Syria, giving reasons for the inhumanity of the Syrian government, and reinforcing his credibility,

    Read More

  • Botulism: An Emerging Infectious Disease

    1214 Words  | 3 Pages

    As stated in Chan-Tack and Bartlett’s article Botulism, “The incidence of foodborne botulism is approximately 24 cases per year. The incidence of wound botulism is 3 cases per year. The incidence of infant botulism is 71 cases per year, with a mean age of 3 months.” (2010). In addition, in merely fifteen percent of the Clostridium botulinium outbreaks are the toxin type undetermined. The first case descriptions of botulism were reported by Dr. Justinus Kerner, a German physician, in 1822. He had conducted experiments on himself and laboratory animals, which gave him this case findings (Taillac, & Kim, 2010).

    Read More

  • Chemical Warfare Persuasive Reasearch Essay

    808 Words  | 2 Pages

    Though chemical warfare was proven effective and easily produced, the world council decided that it was inhumane to use. In 1972, chemical warfare was ban at the Biological Weapons Convention. At this convention, many country’s leaders voted that it was not right to use these weapons as a way to kill people. The leaders felt that a biological weapon was too dangerous to release. (opbw.org)

    Read More

  • Botulism, the Deadly Toxin

    1662 Words  | 4 Pages

    JIU-CONG, Z., LI, S.,& QING-HE, N. (2010). Botulism, where are we now?. Clinical Toxicology (15563650), 48(9), 867-879. doi: 103109/15563650.2010.535003

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis: We Will Degrade And Ultimately Destroy ISIL By Barack Obama

    1022 Words  | 3 Pages

    President Barack Obama delivered an address to the nation on the U.S. Counterterrorism strategy to combat ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) on September 10, 2014. The recent issue, which became the basis for this speech, has been President Obama’s response to Syria’s Bashar al-Assad’s use of chemical weapons against diverse civilians. He delivered this speech to prove to the nation that he has an elaborate strategy along with several tactics to destroy the terrorist group. Obama described the ISIL in his speech by stating, “in a region that has known so much bloodshed, these terrorists are unique in their brutality.  They execute captured prisoners.  They kill children.  They enslave, rape, and force women into marriage.  They threatened a religious minority with genocide.  And in acts of barbarism, they

    Read More

  • Chemical Warfare in WWI

    894 Words  | 2 Pages

    Clark, D. K. (1959). Effectiveness of chemical weapons in WWI. Bethesda, Md.: Operations Research Office, Johns Hopkins University.

    Read More

  • The Bacteria Clostridium Botulinum and Botulism Condition

    910 Words  | 2 Pages

    BoNTs are composed of seven different serotypes that range from A-G. Each of these serotypes are produced by different strains of the same bacteria, Clostridium. BoNTs are not just responsible for the three types of botulism, but they may also cause other neurological disorders. BoNts are not just used for medical purposes but are also becoming very popular within the cosmetic industry. However, with the increased number of users of these toxins there is also a threat being posed since the demand to cure acute diseases is increasing. For example, as Ramachandran states, “Botulinum toxins (BoNTs) delivered into extracranial dermatomes are effective in and approved for treating chronic migraine pain” (Ramachandran, 2014).

    Read More

  • The Management of Primary Erythromelalgia

    1202 Words  | 3 Pages

    Simpson LL. Identification of the characteristics that underlie botulinum toxin potency: implications for designing novel drugs. Biochimie 2000:82: 943-953.

    Read More

  • Obedience to Authority

    1321 Words  | 3 Pages

    Barone, Paul T. “The Need for Positive Meaning in Military Operations: Reflections on Abu Ghraib.” Military Psychology, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. 2005, 17(4), 315-324.

    Read More

  • Smallpox Viruses

    2185 Words  | 5 Pages

    17 July 2012. 8 Nov. 2014 http://cryptome.org/smallpox-wmd.htm> “Smallpox and Bioterrorism” 6 June 2001. Center for Disease Control. 4 Nov. 2014. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/Agent/Smallpox/FactSheet.pdf > http://www.bt.cdc.gov/

    Read More

  • Botox

    1306 Words  | 3 Pages

    So, what is Botox? Botox is the market name for type A botulinum toxin which is a purified form of the toxin produced by the bacteria, clostridium botulinum. This bacteria is commonly associated with food poisoning and is lethal in large doses. The botulism toxin could paralyze vital muscles needed for breathing. Although related to botulism food poisoning, the amounts of Botox given are so minimal and localized, that the toxin will not spread to any other muscles in the body, thus making it a safe and harmless procedure. When used cosmetically, tiny amo...

    Read More

  • Violence and Crisis in Syria

    2020 Words  | 5 Pages

    ...lecting convincing evidence that Syria has used Sarin gas in Ghouta, Syria. Currently, diplomacy has prevailed; the Security Council has shown rare unity on Syria by passing Resolution 2118 requiring Syria to destroy its current stockpile of chemical weapons and prohibits Syria from using, developing, stockpiling, or transferring any chemical weapons. Syria by not agreeing to these terms will face penalties under Chapter Seven of the United Nations Charter. Syrian government has yet to defy the resolution and the OPCW has declared they have successfully destroyed the sites used for production of the chemical weapons it remains to be seen whether the 2014 deadline for destroying Syria’s current stockpile of ammunition will be met in light of the ongoing destabilizing conditions. Despite this amount of progress fighting between the regime and rebels has continued on.

    Read More

  • Salt Water Science Project

    252 Words  | 1 Pages

    My hypothesis was supported because each experiment did what I thought it would. The salt sank when it was inside of the hot and cold water. When salt was placed inside of the hot and cold water, it sank because of it weighing more than the cold and hot water. We can look at it in this way, salt water weighs more than fresh water. The weight of a cubic foot of salt water is 64.1 lbs. On the other hand, a cubic foot of fresh water only weighs 62.4 lbs. The numbers are different because the salt water has a higher density compared to fresh water. When salt is added to water then the molecules in water are different because they are really together and tight around the salt molecules. Adding salt also increases the volume of water by less than

    Read More

More about The History of Using Botulinum Toxin as a Bioweapon

Open Document