Re:China clamping down on coronavirus research, deleted page...
by 2019-nCoV on Sunday April 12, 2020 @07:30PM
(#22851833)
It doesn't need to be a deliberate release of a bioweapon to be considered biological warfare. The simple act of knowingly obscuring the transmissibility and extent of the virus, leading to rampant international spread, is biological warfare.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:China clamping down on coronavirus research, deleted page...
by nikofeyn on Sunday April 12, 2020 @07:36PM
(#22851863)
if that's your definition of biological warfare, then you need to consider to yourself that the u.s. government is then waging biological warfare against its own people.
note that i don't agree with your definition.
Re:China clamping down on coronavirus research, deleted page...
by 2019-nCoV on Sunday April 12, 2020 @07:39PM
(#22851873)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_warfare
> Biological warfare [...] is the use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, insects, and fungi with the intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war.
Knowingly allowing the spread of a highly contagious, lethal virus fits the definition. The only point of contention is whether the party's actions were due to incompetence or malice.