Biological Warfare Research in the United States, Vol. II

Biological Warfare Research in the United States, Vol. II

This report summarizes the research and development in biological warfare undertaken by the Chemical Corps and the circumstances that made this research necessary.

1947

The United States conducted research and testing on several agents and munition types as possible biological weapons during World War II. The furthest progress was made with anthrax and botulinum toxin. Anthrax was the only agent that was sufficiently developed to justify employment against the enemy in the event such warfare was started. After the war, it was determined that research at Camp Detrick should continue through peacetime and the primary emphasis shifted towards munitions development. Some sort of biological warfare capabilities can be developed in a short time by any progressive nation and the Japanese balloon incident demonstrated the United States susceptibility to attack.