Science, Technology and the CW Prohibition Regime

Toxic chemicals, chemical technology and military uses of chemicals for weapons purposes 

Toxic chemical plus malign intent equals chemical warfare agent 

The term chemical warfare agents ideally would comprise all toxic chemicals that have been developed, produced, or used in a military context with the intention of utilizing its toxicity to man, animals or plants as its primary weapons characteristic. This definition excludes a considerable number of toxic chemicals used in a military environment, which serve other purposes a case in point is rocket fuel, which is highly toxic, but whose primary purpose is the propulsion of a missile. On the other hand, this definition goes beyond that used in the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) according to the CWC s Article II, para. 2 only those chemicals which through its chemical action on life processes can cause death, temporary incapacitation or permanent harm to humans or animals (emphasis added)1 count as chemical warfare agents. 

Toxic chemicals that have been developed, produced and used as CW agents are usually subdivided into four categories pulmonary toxicants, blood agents, vesicants or blister agents, and nerve agents. 

Chemistry and chemical warfare during the 20th century 

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Our central concern then is with scientific and technological advances in the life sciences that can be expected to undermine the adequacy of the CW and BW prohibition regimes, if these advances are left unattended. In order to address this concern we raise four questions ... 

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