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Germs: Biological Weapons and America's Secret War

Gary Cox

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Published in Germs: Biological Weapons And America S Secret War

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In his meticulously researched and deeply disturbing book, Germs: Biological Weapons and America's Secret War, author Mark Wheelis, a microbiologist and historian, provides a chilling account of the government's secret germ warfare program, which spanned decades and involved some of the most brilliant scientists of the time.

Germs: Biological Weapons and America's Secret War

by Judith Miller

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2115 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	418 pages

Wheelis begins his book by recounting the horrific events of World War II, when the Japanese military conducted a series of brutal experiments on Chinese prisoners of war using biological weapons. These experiments, which included exposing prisoners to plague, anthrax, and other deadly diseases, resulted in the deaths of thousands of people.

After the war, the United States government launched its own secret germ warfare program, which was initially focused on developing biological weapons to deter the Soviet Union. However, as the Cold War escalated, the program's scope expanded to include research on offensive biological weapons, such as those that could be used to target specific populations or crops.

Wheelis provides a detailed account of the government's germ warfare program, including the scientists who were involved, the experiments that were conducted, and the deadly consequences of the program's failures. He also discusses the ethical implications of biological warfare and the potential for its use in the future.

Germs: Biological Weapons and America's Secret War is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the dark history of biological warfare and its potential implications for the future. Wheelis's book is a chilling reminder of the dangers of unchecked scientific research and the importance of ethical oversight in the development of new technologies.

Key Points

The United States government conducted a secret germ warfare program for decades.
The program involved some of the most brilliant scientists of the time.
The program's scope expanded to include research on offensive biological weapons.
The program's failures resulted in the deaths of thousands of people.
The ethical implications of biological warfare are complex and must be considered carefully.