The title of the thesis is forbidden means and ways of conducting armed conflicts. Obviously, this topic is too broad, so thesis is focused on the issue of chemical and biological weapons. These devices are among the weapons of mass destruction and undoubtedly pose one of the major dangers of the contemporary world. The overall goal of this work is to provide perspective on the issue of chemical and biological weapons from a historical perspective and particularly from a perspective of the international law. International legal documents are viewed in historical and political context. Through this analysis of international treaties, we can "effectively" consider their impacts and responses in a "real world". The first part of the thesis serves as a historical introduction with some interesting chapters from early history of chemical and biological weapons. The second part deals with the birth of these weapons in a new and modern form in the 19th century. Great attention is paid to the period of the World War I. It was in this global conflict in which chemical weapons were used in their modern form and in the most massive form at the same time. In next chapters, this thesis examines how chemical and biological weapons and their international legal regulation evolved during the 20th century,...

Population´s Awareness in Case of Epidemic Infection Herd Occurrence This diploma work deals with the problem of biological weapons. It consists of a theoretical and a practical part. The theoretical part describes biological weapons in general, the options of their use and the principles of population´s protection. Further, I focussed on selected diseases which are considered to present biological weapons. The information I acquired is based on technical literature, the internet and the current legislation. The practical part of my diploma work deals with the opinions and attitudes of the Czech population concerning biological weapons and the potential risks of being exposed to biological weapons. Further I tried to find out whether the Czech population is aware of the basic issues of the problem in question. At the same time I focussed on comparing the state of awareness in the age groups of the economically active population on the one side and senior citizens on the other side. The research results have shown that the issue of biological weapons tends not to be appreciated adequately and that the opinions found in both age groups do not show significant differences. Further, an analysis of the acquired data has shown that the rate of awareness of the basic issues of the problem is low and that the population lacks sufficient information how to respond to a biological weapon attack in case of suspected assault. Differences in the level of awareness in the studied age groups have not been confirmed. The research has also shown that the respondents feel they do not have access to sources of sufficient and adequate information on biological weapons. Based on the acquired facts I have written a brochure providing information on biological weapons as well as on the recommended measures in case of suspected exposure. I have also elaborated a proposal concerning the implementation of the project and the distribution of the brochure.

The target of my thesis was to map the knowledge of the secondary school pupils of the issue of acquaintance of inhabitants with the recommended ways of the behaviour in case of the occurrence of extraordinary events (with the special accent on the events associated with the possibility of the terrorist misuse of B-agens and imported highly dangerous infection).

Until now little attention has been paid to the development of military capabilities designed to target food crops with biological warfare agents. This book represents the first substantive study of state-run activities in this field. It shows that all biological warfare programmes have included a component concerned with the development of anti-crop biological warfare agents and munitions. Current concern over the proliferation of biological weapons is placed in the context of the initiative to strengthen the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. The book concludes by arguing that the risks posed by this form of warfare can be minimised, but that this would depend largely on the effective and efficient implementation of regimes concerning the peaceful use and control of plant pathogens that pose a risk to human health and the environment.

Yes

No / Scientific and technological change in the life sciences is currently transforming the problem of preventing biological warfare and biological terrorism. This transformation will demand a radical and rigorous new approach to biochemical arms control, for which the existing prohibition regimes for chemical and biological weapons are necessary but insufficient building blocks. Examples from the areas of immunology, neurosciences, and the neuroendocrine-immune system are used to show the magnitude of the problem. This book will conclude with outlining additional measures required to control biochemical weapons in the 2lst Century.

No / This volume explores in close detail the events and factors leading up to the second Gulf War in 2003 and considers whether war with Iraq was inevitable. Nick Ritchie and Paul Rogers argue that after the election of George W. Bush, conflict between Iraq and the United States was probable, and that after 9/11 it became virtually inevitable. They begin by setting the story of Iraq, Bush and 9/11 within the broader context of the importance of the Persian Gulf to enduring US national security interests and go on to examine the intense politicking that surrounded the conflict and still reverberates today. The authors examine US policy towards Iraq at the end of the Clinton administration, the opposition in Congress and Washington's conservative think tanks to Clinton's strategy of containment, and the evolution of Iraq policy during the first eight months of the Bush presidency and the growing pressure for regime change. They also explore the immediate focus on Iraq after the attacks of September 11 that marked a watershed in US national security policy and chart the construction of the case against Iraq through 2002 and the administration's determination to end Saddam Hussein's regime at all costs. The Political Road to War with Iraq will be of great interest to all students and scholars of US foreign policy, war and peace studies and international relations.

The aim of this diploma thesis was "To Analyse the awareness of the population in the area of South Bohemia region in context of emergencies in case of using weapons of mass destruction". In the theoretical part of the thesis the issue of the weapons of mass destruction is described from the description of particular groups to some historical consequences, to their arrangement or detailed description of the main types of weapons, and their harmful effects on a human body. As the issue is really wide, the main text is focused on the basic specification for easier understanding. Not many details are presented, but the most important information and some sidelights were given the priority. The target of the thesis was not to prepare a detailed and broad description, but on the other hand the comprehensive view of the studied issue, so a reader can obtain clear and brief analysis of the topic. For the practical part of the thesis the quantitative research and the method of a survey for obtaining data were chosen and done from January to March 2019. The questionnaire consists of four parts. Each part is specifically orientated. In the introductory part of the questionnaire there are three initial questions given to divide the responders according to their gender, age and education. After that there is the part A, which consists of ten questions, and it is aimed at the public awareness about the issue of public safety. The other parts B, C and D have five questions each, and they are aimed at the particular weapons of mass destruction - chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. The main goal of the survey was to find the level of the public awareness in South Bohemia region. The obtained data show that the correct answers reached approx. 55 %, but the range of all particular correct answers was from 30 % up to 83 %. These results show that there is potential room for improvement of the public awareness by simple and well-arranged brochures, by creating professional web-sides or groups for modern society that can use social network such as Facebook or Instagram. The diploma thesis can be also used as an educational material.

Life scientists have increasingly been asked to incorporate a dual use responsibility in their research conduct. In this thesis, different aspects of what constitutes a reasonable responsibility in terms of avoiding harmful misuse of research for biological weapon purposes have been explored. The first study investigated the claim that scientists have a dual use responsibility, and also outlined some of its possible content. Criteria for what may constitute preventable harm were used to analyze some proposed obligations in the field, and it was concluded that reasonable obligations include: e.g. considering the potential negative implications of one’s research and reporting activities of concern. In the second study, the conditions for a Precautionary Principle (PP) were explored and applied to the dual use research context. The study found that the main conditions of the PP frequently appear in present discussions and formulations of life scientists’ responsibility. It was also concluded that the PP is applicable to the dual use field and that it is meaningful and useful as a normatively guiding principle. The third study suggested an ethics of dissemination, based on the assumption that scientists have a responsibility to occasionally constrain the dispersion of their research findings. Three core aspects were proposed for an ethics of dual use dissemination. Additionally, to help scientists understand when constraints may be justified, three corresponding conditions for their application were suggested. In the fourth study, the concept of ethical competence was introduced and explored within a dual use context. It was concluded that competence-building is important in the nurturing of individual responsibility and, subsequently, in achieving a culture of dual use responsibility in the life sciences. Finally, the discussion on ethical competence was included in a proposed ethic of deliberation, in which various stakeholders in the dual use debate are conceived to participate in communicative processes. It was argued that spaces for deliberative activities should be institutionalized by the scientific community to ensure structural opportunities for individuals to both assume responsibility and share it. Moreover, it was argued that deliberation can constitute a cornerstone of responsible dual use governance.

La notion d'« armes de destruction massive » (ADM) est insaisissable : au lieu d'avoir pour but de mieux définir un type d'arme, elle agit à l'inverse, en créant une confusion entre l'arme et les conséquences de son emploi. Cette nature inconsistante se poursuit au niveau juridique. En effet, bien que l'expression fasse très tôt son entrée au sein des Nations unies, aucun traité ni organe officiel n'a, jusqu'alors, réussi à en donner une définition probante. À défaut de définition incontestable, et en l'absence d'un critère vérifiable d'identification de ce qu'est une « arme de destruction massive », cette notion s'est avérée préjudiciable. L'écart entre la réalité de la menace existante en matière d'« armes de destruction massive » et la façon dont elle fut perçue, puis gérée par la communauté internationale, c'est-à-dire à la fois par les États de façon individuelle et par les organisations internationales et les traités de façon collective, a conduit à de multiples dérives. Par conséquent, s'agissant là d'une notion plus politique que juridique, il apparaît nécessaire qu'elle soit précisée ou abandonnée / The term « weapons of mass destruction » (WMD) is ambiguous: instead of aiming to clearly define a certain type of weapon, it does the opposite by creating confusion between the weapon itself and the consequences of its use. This confusion is also reflected at in the legal definition. Indeed, even though the term has been used by the United Nations from an early stage, no treaty or official entity has succeeded in providing a clear definition to this day. The lack of a clear definition, and the absence of defined criteria to determine what constitutes a « weapon of mass destruction », has turned out to be damaging. The dichotomy between the existing threat from « weapons of mass destruction » and the way it is perceived and handled by the international community, including individual states, international organisations, as well as collective treaties, has resulted in several instances of inappropriate use. As a consequence, the term has become a political rather than legal notion. A clearer legal definition is needed, or otherwise the term should be abandoned