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EN
The article discusses the issues of bioterrorism and chemoterrorism. Based on the analysis of source literature, biological weapons and chemical weapons are briefly characterized, as well as their historical outline and examples of use known from history are presented. Additionally, the systems of preventing terrorist attacks with the use of these types of weapons are discussed on the example of the Republic of Poland. Considerations lead to the conclusion that the threat of terrorist attacks using weapon of mass destruction is currently very high, therefore there is the high need for perfectly functioning and proven mechanisms of action. Poland, as a country that has not yet experienced serious terrorist attacks, must pays particular attention to the continuous development of defense systems and cooperate in that area with international organizations.
EN
The aim of the article is to present the phenomenon of bioterrorism and related threats in a global and national (Polish) perspective. Experiences with using biological weapons, international conventions and disarmament processes induced the prohibition of this kind of weapons in majority of countries. However, low production costs, facility of transfer and large range of biological weapons may be appealing to potential terrorists and extremist groups. The author analyses contemporary threats and problems connected with possibility of using biological weapons by unauthorized persons. He discusses the historical overview of biological agents, the response system for the threats they cause, Polish and global legal regulations, as well as selected cases of attacks. It leads to the conclusion that continuous improvement of laws concerning biological agents is needed, as well as the preparation of military and civil structures for a potential attack and related crisis and military operations.
EN
International non-proliferation regimes will only be effective when the efforts of the signatories of international agreements, regional or bilateral will be increased, because declarative expression of support for the various forms of initiatives of the international community often end up at this level, as shown by the cases of chemical weapons use in the Syrian Civil War. The main aim of this article is to show the management problems of global non-proliferation regimes of biological and chemical weapons. The authors made a comparative analysis of two non-proliferation regimes. This combination helped to achieve the second objective of the article, which is to identify the major challenges and threats generated by these regimes, which allowed the formulation of the conclusion that in order to strengthen them, the international community must take comprehensive action, including reducing the threat of terrorist organizations.
PL
Bioterroryzm stanowi jedną z wielu form terroryzmu. Użytą w potencjalnym ataku broń biologiczną cechuje szereg właściwości, takich jak łatwość i minimalny koszt produkcji, możliwość ukrycia i transportu, jak również niewidoczność w trakcie przeprowadzania ataku ze względu na brak zapachu i koloru. Pierwszym aktem prawnym o charakterze międzynarodowym, który poruszył kwestię użycia broni biologicznej, był Protokół Genewski z dn. 17 czerwca 1925 r. Konieczność dostosowania Protokołu do aktualnej sytuacji politycznej (ataki terrorystyczne) wymogła przyjęcie w 1972 r. Konwencji o zakazie prowadzenia badań, produkcji i gromadzenia zapasów broni bakteriologicznej (biologicznej) i toksycznej oraz o ich zniszczeniu. Polskie prawo w sposób bezpośredni nie obejmuje swoim zakresem działań terrorystycznych. Ustosunkowany jest do nich głównie Kodeks Karny, który w sposób pośredni opisuje terroryzm jako przestępstwa przeciwko bezpieczeństwu powszechnemu stanowiące niebezpieczeństwo zachwiania podstawami obronności państwa oraz Krajowy Plan Zarządzania Kryzysowego ustalający podział kompetencji pomiędzy poszczególnymi organami administracji rządowej. Niewielka liczba krajowych regulacji prawnych wynika z faktu, iż Polska jest uważana za kraj o niskim prawdopodobieństwie wystąpienia ataku bioterrorystycznego.
EN
Bioterrorism is one of many forms of terrorism. Any kind of biological weapon used in a potential assault features a number of properties, such as ease and low cost of production, possibility to hide and transport, as well as its invisibility during the attack due to its lack of odour and colour. The first international legal act that addressed the issue of the use of biological weapon was the Geneva Protocol signed on June 17, 1925. The need to adapt the Protocol to the current political situation (terrorist attacks) forced the adoption of the 1972 Convention on the Prohibition of the Research, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and their Destruction. Polish law does not directly include terrorist activities in the scope of its legislation. These are mainly addressed by the provisions of the Penal Code, which indirectly describes terrorism as a crime against common security which constitutes the threat of undermining the foundations of national defence, and the National Crisis Management Plan, which establishes the division of competences between different government administration bodies. A small number of national legal regulations stems from the fact that Poland is seen as a country with a low probability of a bioterrorist attack.
PL
Celem artykułu jest wyjaśnienie potencjalnego zagrożenia związanego z użyciem czynnika biologicznego jako elementu tzw. działań hybrydowych. Bioterroryzm jako narzędzie pozostające w dyspozycji państw jak i organizacji terrorystycznych stanowi zagrożenie mogące wywołać wielorakie niepożądane skutki. Ich zasięg jest uzależniony między innymi od rodzaju patogenu, sposobu i skali zastosowania, oraz od efektywności służb mających na celu zapewnienie bezpieczeństwa biologicznego. Broń biologiczna jest relatywnie bardzo tania i przynosi bardzo dotkliwe dla przeciwnika straty, także ekonomiczne. Jej atutem jest trudna wykrywalność a także to, że sama groźba użycia czynników chorobotwórczych jest w stanie całkowicie odmienić zachowanie stron konfliktu i jego przebieg. Ponadto bardzo trudna jest sama identyfikacja zagrożenia i przewidywanie zasięgu rażenia. W opisie patogenów stosowanych w wojnie biologicznej autorka posługuje się ich klasyfikacją opracowaną przez Centrum Kontroli Chorób i Zapobiegania w Atlancie. W konkluzji stwierdzono, że w celu zapobiegania biologicznym, psychologicznym, ekonomicznym i politycznym skutkom bioterroryzmu, konieczne jest stworzenie systemów monitoringu i wczesnego ostrzegania oraz organizacja okresowych szkoleń dla armii i służb medycznych.
EN
The purpose of this article is to explain the potential threat posed by the use of a biological agent as part of so-called hybrid operations. Bioterrorism, as a tool at the disposal of states as well as terrorist organizations, is a threat that can cause multiple adverse effects. Their extent depends, among other things, on the type of pathogen, the manner and scale of application, and the effectiveness of services aimed at ensuring biosecurity. Biological weapons are relatively very inexpensive and inflict very severe losses on the adversary, including in economic terms. Its advantage is that it is difficult to detect and that the mere threat of the use of pathogens is capable of completely altering the behavior of the parties involved in the conflict and its course. In addition, it is very difficult to identify the threat itself and predict the extent of the attack. In describing the pathogens used in biological warfare, the author uses their classification developed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. It is concluded that in order to prevent the biological, psychological, economic and political effects of bioterrorism, it is necessary to create monitoring and early warning systems and organize periodic training for the army and medical services.
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