Let us assume, as WHO does, that the virus COVID-19 is not the result of the work done in a laboratory in a state of UN. However, after seeing the consequences of the present pandemia, may be the idea of building a biological weapon may look now more interesting to some persons or groups. The virus of COVID-19 is not, by itself, a classical model for a biological weapon to be used in a war between states. This virus has generated a pandemia, while a biological weapon for war between states should remain in the territory of the enemy. But there are no few other viruses that could become suitable biological weapons. For this and other possibilities (bacteria infection, isolated toxins, etc.) the Biological Weapons Convention entered into force. But it seems that up to the present, no international monitoring institution (as the Safeguards of the IAEA in the field of ionizing radiations) has been established. An international monitoring system could be implemented, for example, by a specialized UN institute, or in another effective frame. This could help to avoid a spread of biological weapons in the (perhaps) more or less near future.
To give additional information about the subject of the posed question, we can quote what is reported in a Wikipedia article about the Biological Weapons Convention: “A draft of the BWC, submitted by the British was opened for signature on 10 April 1972 and entered into force 26 March 1975 when twenty-two governments had deposited their instruments of ratification. It commits the 183 states which are party to it as of August 2019 to prohibit the development, production, and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons. However, the absence of any formal verification regime to monitor compliance has limited the effectiveness of the Convention. An additional five states have signed the BWC but have yet to ratify the treaty.”
The negotiations to establish a verification mechanism started at least since 1990, unsuccessfully.
Nuclear weapons are outlawed and their use becomes obvious by the explosion. The affected area will be useless for a long time. This are probably the main reasons why they have not been used on a larger scale.
Biological weapons, on the other hand, can be used undetected, if they could also originate from a natural mutation. Just like the current Covid pathogen. If the aggressor already has a vaccine, he can start an attack almost undetected and without negative consequences for his own country.
Therefore a monitoring system should be installed.
As intriguing as it sounds, the solution to this is not as simple. Bioweapons mentioned here like covid-19 can be synthesized without any organisation such as WHO finding ever a trace of human intervention. All it takes is a directional mutation using any number of mutagens which renders the virus untraceable by any meathod. To monitor such threat would mean monitoring use of n number of mutagens which can be extracted even from a simple water purifier. So in my opinion though necessary, taking such measures in imminent future seem quite non- feasable.
I also thought less about to proof the evidence of human interaction. And also not about to develop something which is specific to only one pathogen.
It should be more working like a nose.
You can smell everything with your nose, even if you have never tasted it before. You will not know what it is but you can recognize that the concentration of something is rising.
Dear all, it is more than a necessity but without governenmentals comittements, any attempt will be meaningless. My Regards
So many in the sciences have been trying to prepare for a pandemic for years but political will and foresight is lacking nearly everywhere, indeed it brought us to this place...and politicians ought to be brought to account. So, yes, absolutely there should ongoing trials in laboratories, security systems with engaged politicians so that this world convulsion never happens again. At the same time this must be international and public; all politicians have a duty, it should be in their mandate, to keep all of this out of the grip of the opportunists in the world.
Hi,
The BTWC Convention must be given more teeth and a mechanism for verification.
With my best regards
We need sunlight into this.
It must be banned around the globe - and with sharp teeth.
No more secret meetings of world leaders .
Best.
Jerry