The UK biological-warfare program: dual-use contributions to the field of aerobiology

Between 1940 and the late 1950s, the United Kingdom had a limited biological program to provide a retaliatory capability should UK forces be attacked using biological warfare (BW). Aspects of BW defense have been investigated from 1940 up to the present day. Techniques, processes, and equipment used...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Nonproliferation review Vol. 27; no. 4-6; pp. 309 - 322
Main Authors Beedham, Richard J., Davies, Carwyn H.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Routledge 01.09.2020
Subjects
aerobiology
biological warfare
biological weapons
dual use
United Kingdom
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Between 1940 and the late 1950s, the United Kingdom had a limited biological program to provide a retaliatory capability should UK forces be attacked using biological warfare (BW). Aspects of BW defense have been investigated from 1940 up to the present day. Techniques, processes, and equipment used within biological research programs are recognized to have dual-use applications; aerobiology is one such dual-use area. Research during these offensive and defensive eras of the UK BW research program has contributed to aerobiological science, leading to a number of positive changes in some areas, including laboratory safety; understanding of infection by the aerosol route; and survival, detection, and identification of airborne pathogens. This article will discuss the historical contributions made to aerobiology science, the global contemporary legislation that governs dual-use research, and a modern case study based upon this type of investigation. The article will contribute to our understanding of the dual-use aspects of a BW program.
ISSN:1073-6700
1746-1766
DOI:10.1080/10736700.2020.1823621