Biological Weapons
Biological Weapons Convention
Ratified by the United States of America on March 26, 1975, the BWC bans the possession, use, and development of biological agents, toxins, and weapons that may be used for hostile purposes.
BWC Protocol Negotiations
The BWC explicitly prohibit biological weapons; however, the treaties and convention lack a legally binding compliance and verification protocol. Review conferences, meetings, and negotations continue in hopes of one day establishing protocol to enforce implementation and compliance.
Chemical Weapons
Chemical Weapons Convention
Ratified by the U.S. on April 24, 1997, the CWC prohibits the production, possession, and use of chemical weapons for non-peaceful purposes.
Geneva Protocol of 1925
Officially known as the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, signed June 17, 1925. The United States ratified the Geneva Protocol on April 10, 1975.
Australia Group
An informal association of 28 countries -- including the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, UK, Germany, and others -- whose purpose is to help prevent the proliferation of biological and chemical weapons and technology.
UN Security Council Resolution 1540
Related Conventions
Several additional international conventions are relevant to biological and chemical weapons, including:
Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons
Convention on Biodiversity
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety