Germ warfare
Germ warfare
Germ warfare (pronunciation: /dʒɜːrm ˈwɔːrfeɪr/), also known as biological warfare, is the use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi with the intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war.
Etymology
The term "germ warfare" is derived from the word "germ" which originates from the Latin word "germen" meaning "sprout, bud". The term "warfare" comes from the Old English "wyrre" and "fære", which means "confusion" and "danger" respectively. Together, they describe the use of harmful biological agents in war.
Related Terms
- Biological agent: A bacterium, virus, protozoan, parasite, or fungus that can be used purposefully as a weapon in bioterrorism or biological warfare.
- Bioterrorism: Terrorism involving the intentional release or dissemination of biological agents.
- Biological Weapons Convention: An international treaty that prohibits the development, production, and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons.
- Pathogen: A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
- Toxin: A poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Germ warfare
- Wikipedia's article - Germ warfare
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