Debora MacKenzie

The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), which bans the possession of biological weapons, went into effect in 1972 after being ratified by 140 countries. Debora MacKenzie asserts in the following viewpoint that the BWC should be strengthened to include enforcement measures. According to the author, one such measure—random inspections of biological facilities— would help detect treaty violators. MacKenzie is the Brussels correspondent for New Scientist,a weekly science magazine.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to MacKenzie, what lessons about biological weapons inspections have been learned from recent experiences with Iraq"

2. Why is the U.S. position on biological weapons inspections flawed, in the author’s opinion"

3. What reason does President Bill Clinton provide for rejecting random inspections of biological facilities, as cited by the author? The United States and its...