Bioweapons Outline

1) Introduction
a) Attention getter:
i) Biological warfare is an imminent threat to mankind. Biological weapons are exponentially
cheaper than nuclear weapons and could kill masses of people with virtually nothing.
b) Description:
i) These weapons are composed of a bacteria or virus that is released into and environment for
hostile purposes. Any nation with a relatively advanced pharmaceutical and medical industry
has the capability of producing these weapons.
c) Importance of issue:
i) Technology is advancing at a rapid rate and can be used in a destructive manner. Bioweapons
can easily end human life if something is not done to stop it.
2) Counterargument
a) Basic Point:
i) Some argue that the use of biological weapons may be beneficial in war situations for things
like defense strategies.
b) Supporting Argument:
i) These weapons of mass destruction can ward off enemy forces, and potentially protect your
country.
c) Elaborate/analysis
i) Supporters of bioweapons believe that they can be used for safety, and desperate situations.
d) Thesis:
i) However, this level of defense comes with its consequences.
ii) The attack on the enemy can potentially spread to allied forces, or nearby towns, or cities.
iii) In summary, biological warfare is unsafe, easily produced, and immoral.
3) Main Point #1: Dangerous
a) First big idea
i) Bioweapons should never be used in war situations because they are too dangerous.
b) Supporting arguments
i) Some of the more dangerous biological agents include botulinum, bacillus anthracis, and
variola major.
ii) Bacillus anthracis is a virus that causes anthrax, and it is one of the most deadly agents used
as a biological weapon.
iii) Botulinum is another dangerous agent used. It is relatively easy to produce and can be
distributed by aerosol or contamination of food or water supply. It also causes botulism which
is a serious muscle-paralyzing disease.
iv) Variola major is the virus that causes smallpox which is a highly contagious and infectious
disease that has no cure and can only be prevented by vaccination.
c) What does this mean?
i) This agents are highly dangerous and should never be used on a living being.
d) Closing Sentence
i) The amount of risk and danger is far too great.
4) Main Point #2: Easy to produce
a) Second main point
i) Biological weapons are extremely easy to produce.
b) Supporting arguments
i) Biological agents are much cheaper to produce than nuclear weapons. It would take eight
hundred dollars of nuclear supplies, compared to one dollar of bioweapons for the same

amount of civilian casualties. This gives countries a higher motive to use them because they
will save a lot of money.
ii) To produce biological weapons and agent must first be chosen and acquired. Then the agents
are grown and multiplied until enough is produced. Genetic modification then takes place to
alter certain characteristics. The agent is then prepared for delivery.
iii) Scientists have the capability of altering the organisms genetic code. If a certain virus does
not infect people it can be modified to do so.
c) Analysis
i) A weapon as dangerous as these should not be produced with such ease.
d) Ending sentence
i) Biological weapons need to be illegal for the protection of the world.
5) Main point #3: Immoral
a) Describe 3rd main point
i) The use a biological agents as a weapon is immoral.
b) Supporting facts
i) The effects of bioweapons are nearly irreversible. Once the agents have been distributed
there is no reversing what happens next.
ii) These organisms can kill many forms of livestock, and agriculture. Our food supply can
potentially be cut off completely.
iii) Infecting animals with one of the diseases is wrong for many reasons. It can cause a huge
increase in the spread of the disease.
c) Analysis
i) These weapons cause too much pain and suffering, and it would be wrong to use them in a
war situation.
d) Ending Sentence
i) Therefore, the immorality of the bioweapons outweigh any potential use for them.
6) Conclusion
a) Restate thesis
i) Bioweapons are unpredictable, unethical, and very dangerous to everyone.
b) Impact on society
i) If these weapons were to stay illegal, and out of war situations mankind as a whole would
benefit. The fear of an attack that you cannot detect can drive people insane, and should be
avoided at all costs.
c) Final thought
i) The past must never repeat itself, and bioweapons should never be used to harm someone or
something else ever again.

Sources

http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/resources/fact-sheets/criticalissues/4579-biological-weapons
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_warfare
http://www.army-technology.com/features/featurethe-worlds-mostdangerous-bioweapons-4546207/
https://fas.org/biosecurity/resource/bioweapons.htm
https://www.uia.be/sites/uia.be/db/db/x.php?
dbcode=pr&go=e&id=11311640