Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

Introduction: The Biological Weapons Convention is an international disarmament treaty that prohibits the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and retention of biological and toxin weapons.

Key pointers

  • Official name: Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction.

  • Opened for signature: 1972.

  • Entered into force: 1975.

  • Nature: A multilateral disarmament treaty.

  • Core objective: Prevent biological agents and toxins from being developed or retained for hostile purposes.

  • Scope: Covers biological agents and toxins, as well as weapons, equipment and delivery means intended for hostile use.

  • Verification challenge: Unlike the Chemical Weapons Convention, the BWC does not have a dedicated international verification organisation with a comprehensive routine inspection system.

  • India: A state party to the convention.

UPSC focus: Differentiate between the BWC and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The former concerns biological and toxin weapons, while the latter concerns chemical weapons.