Civilians

The effect weapons of mass destruction have is vast.  These tools are not discriminative, the consequences of their use near human habitation is devastating, killing not only enemy but innocent civilians.  Contamination of areas e.g. due to failure of detonation or biological warfare can last long after the conflict ends, posing a threat to civilians for longer periods.  There are large effects on wellbeing, economic opportunities, living environment and development, during strikes with these weapons and post conflict. “when used in war they inherently discriminate, meaning that their use would almost certainly result in the deaths of many civilians” (Hashmi and Lee 2004).

Unlike conventional weapons the effects of these do not stay in the location in which they were deployed: detonation of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons invariably produce plumes of radiation and toxins which can travel hundreds of miles effecting civilians, well beyond the battlefield.  The effect for civilians is not only short term including hospitalisation and chronic illnesses, but it can also continue long after into future generations.

Even weapons such as car bombs or the planes which crashed into the twin towers, constitute weapons of mass destruction. Evertt Langford appropriately describes weapons of mass destruction as “ those things that kill, people in more horrible ways than bullets or trauma, or which cause effects other than simply damaging  or destroying buildings or objects, with an element of panic or fear included” (Langford 2004, pg1)

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Analysing the social and ethical implications of military development

Military Technology Out of Control?