Chemical and Biological Weapons

A global treaty banning the production, stockpiling and deployment of lethal agents will go into effect in April, but U.S. participation is questionable. Ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention has been held up by senators who say the agreement lacks adequate verification provisions and would be too costly. Recent events are adding new elements to the debate over ways to curb chemical and biological weapons. New studies of Gulf War Syndrome are considering whether these weapons may cause disabling chronic illnesses as well as death. And the release of deadly sarin nerve gas in the Tokyo subway by members of a religious cult demonstrates the devastating impact these easily produced weapons of mass destruction can have on civilian targets as well.