Statement of Pugwash International Conference of Scientists On Biological and Chemical Warfare

Statement of Pugwash International Conference of Scientists On Biological and Chemical Warfare

Twenty-six scientists from eight nations met to discuss BW, CW, and means for preventing their production or use in war. The statement outlines these issues and considerations for the international community.

1959

Describes characteristics of BW, including morbidity, mortality, dissemination, stability, countermeasures, combinations of multiple agents, economic consequences, controllability, and covert nature. Notes a variety of considerations where BW shows promise, but also significant limitations in knowledge, applicability, or both. Nuclear weapons have several orders of magnitude more power. Concludes that international tensions would increase with BW and CW production, and that efforts should be made to limit their development and use.