The New “old” threat: viral biological warfare

Abstract

Biological weapons, considered as biological agents, have been used for hundreds of years for different purposes, but particularly have been intended to harm people’s health. There are biological agents, such as bacteria, fungi, toxins and viruses. The latest are analyzed from the perspective of the World Health Organization, among other entities, and their potential uses as biological viral agents are studied. Some examples of such agents are dengue, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, Rift Valley fever, and yellow fever.

This paper addresses the opportunity, the difficulties, and problems of viral biological  gents in the context of biological warfare, as well as the genetical engineering facts in the modification of viral biological agents to improve the effectiveness and efficacy of new and more lethal viruses. The authors also analyze the interest in terms of bioterrorism from a bioethical approach to science research.