US army plans to bulk-buy anthrax

Found on New Scientist on Friday, 23 September 2005
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The US military wants to buy large quantities of anthrax, in a controversial move that is likely to raise questions over its commitment to treaties designed to limit the spread of biological weapons.

A series of contracts have been uncovered that relate to the US army's Dugway Proving Ground in Utah. They ask companies to tender for the production of bulk quantities of a non-virulent strain of anthrax, and for equipment to produce significant volumes of other biological agents.

Whatever use it is put to, however, the move could be seen as highly provocative by other nations, he says. "What would happen to the Biological Weapons Convention if other countries followed suit and built large biological production facilities at secretive military bases known for weapons testing?"

That "we can have it, but you can't" attitude isn't really a good example for others. On one hand, the US (and many other countries) feel threatened by the Iranian nuclear program, yet the US still hoards nukes. And now biological weapons (I'm sure they already have a rather big arsenal, but this one is official).