Biological weapons convention

 It was the first multilateral disarmament treaty banning the production of an entire category of weapons.

 The Geneva Protocol prohibits use but not possession or development of chemical and biological weapons.

 It commits the 178 states to prohibit the development, production, and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons.

 However, the absence of any formal verification regime to monitor compliance has limited the effectiveness of the Convention.

 An additional six states have signed the BWC but have yet to ratify the treaty.

 Subsequent Review Conferences have reaffirmed that the general purpose criterion encompasses all future scientific and technological developments relevant to the Convention.

 Permitted purposes under the BWC are defined as prophylactic, protective and other peaceful purposes.