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Chemical and Biological Weapons Essay

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Will the human race still be in existence in fifty more years? Although likely, there is a very real possibility that we will not be here. For example, after the Gulf War, we found Saddam Hussein stockpiling Weapons of Mass Destruction. Did you know that he had enough weapons to kill every single human, dog, and cow on the face of the earth? When I found that out, I thought it was very interesting, so I decided to do a report on it. If you keep reading, you'll find out what I've found out. Who funds the making of chemical or biological weapons? The answer is many people. However… the government is the main source of money. For example, they make labs built to find defenses against new chemical or biological weapons. The catch is …show more content…

Another biological weapon is Botulinum Toxins. Botulism is caused by intoxication with any of the seven distinct neurotoxins produced by the bacillus, Clostridium botulinum. In pure form, the toxin is a white crystalline substance which is readily dissolvable in water but decays rapidly in the open air. The incubation period for inhalation botulinum ranges from one day to several days after exposure. Reported cases of botulism prior to 1950 had a mortality rate of sixty percent. With tracheotomy and ventilator assistance, fatalities should be five percent. Initial signs and symptoms of botulinum include ptosis, generalized weakness and dizziness. Diminished salivation with extreme dryness of the mouth and throat may cause complaints of a sore throat. Urinary retention may also occur. Motor symptoms usually are present early in the disease; cranial nerves are affected first with blurred vision, diplopia, ptosis, and photophobia. Development of respiratory failure may be abrupt. Mucous membranes of the mouth may be dry and crusted. Deep tendon reflexes vary from intact to absent. Brucellosis is next. Brucellosis is a systemic zoonotic disease caused by one of four species of bacteria: Brucella melitensis, B. abortus, B. suis, and B. canis. Fatality rates tend to decrease for humans somewhat the farther down in the order you go. Brucella canis is primarily a pathogen of dogs, and only

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