# When is the usage of nukes, poison gas, and bioweapons justified? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 10, 2012, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274 "2012-09-10T06:08:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Atakapa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@Atakapa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atakapa)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/1 "2012-09-10T06:08:23Z")
Are there any circumstances in which you would personally consider using WMDs to be the proper course of action? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/2 "2012-09-10T06:29:37Z")
Sure. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/3 "2012-09-10T07:01:32Z")
If I were a dictator. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/4 "2012-09-10T07:45:45Z")
Rush hour. ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/5 "2012-09-10T08:49:05Z")
When the alternative is worse. ---
**Author:** ![Latro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@Latro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Latro)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/6 "2012-09-10T09:54:44Z")
> [@Rune](#): > > When the alternative is worse. For some countries this would come down to; ‘when there is a setback’. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/7 "2012-09-10T10:39:57Z")
> [@Atakapa](#): > > Are there any circumstances in which you would personally consider using WMDs to be the proper course of action? Personally? Almost every day. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/8 "2012-09-10T11:01:01Z")
When Mythbusters wants to test the origin of Godzilla and/or MAD for its epic finale. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/9 "2012-09-10T11:01:54Z")
Nukes, only if someone else is crazy or evil enough to use them first. That’s one bottle we don’t want to open. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/10 "2012-09-10T13:13:54Z")
When it’s the only way to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/11 "2012-09-10T13:19:43Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > When it’s the only way to be sure. Preferrably from orbit, too. (But yes, malevolent aliens would be pretty much a no-brainer justification…) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/12 "2012-09-10T13:56:09Z")
When only the best will do, and you want to show that you really care. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/13 "2012-09-10T14:24:21Z")
In all seriousness, no, never. I could see some futuristic targeted bioweapons, say, that can be transmitted through a population but only actually harms somebody with the exact DNA of the evil dictator. Those might be justified. But the defining aspect of a WMD, to me, is that they are indiscriminate, and that’s why they shouldn’t be used. Also, WWII-style bombing campaigns are right out. ---
**Author:** ![Atakapa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@Atakapa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atakapa)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/14 "2012-09-10T15:55:48Z")
Let’s say your country is facing an existential threat in the form of a massive invasion. The border defenses have been destroyed, and it is projected that the conventional forces will be unable to hold out for longer than the next few hours. At that point, your country will effectively cease to exist, and will be added to the conquered territories of the invaders. However, military leadership believes that with the usage of tactical nukes in several key locations, the invaders will be devastated and forced to withdraw. Would you consider the use of WMDs to be justified to ensure an individual nation’s survival? ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/15 "2012-09-10T16:02:01Z")
If I had a vial containing a virus that would spread quickly and result in random sterility for about 90~100% of the human race, that is a bottle I could not keep a lid on. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/16 "2012-09-10T16:12:46Z")
Contrariwise, why should we send soldiers to die when we could eliminate our targets with nukes? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/17 "2012-09-10T17:26:50Z")
Out of the three parts of “NBC,” the “B” part is the scariest to me, because it can often mutuate and become uncontrollable, and potentially create a population of zombies that will assimilate the rest of us. I believe the “B” stands for “Broadcasting.” > [@Quartz](#): > > Contrariwise, why should we send soldiers to die when we could eliminate our targets with nukes? It sure says something in favor of targeted assassination, at least. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/18 "2012-09-10T18:15:24Z")
> [@For You](#): > > If I had a vial containing a virus that would spread quickly and result in random sterility for about 90~100% of the human race, that is a bottle I could not keep a lid on. A mass screening of a homemade porno flick featuring Tom Arnold and Roseanne Barr on their wedding night would have much of the same effect, without a pesky bottle lid to possibly misplace… ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/19 "2012-09-10T19:08:44Z")
> [@Atakapa](#): > > Would you consider the use of WMDs to be justified to ensure an individual nation’s survival? Nope. A nation that has to use WMDs to “survive” is a nation that doesn’t deserve to “survive”. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274/20 "2012-09-10T19:26:41Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > In all seriousness, no, never. > > I could see some futuristic targeted bioweapons, say, that can be transmitted through a population but only actually harms somebody with the exact DNA of the evil dictator. Those might be justified. > > But the defining aspect of a WMD, to me, is that they are indiscriminate, and that’s why they shouldn’t be used. Also, WWII-style bombing campaigns are right out. So we should probably stop research into creating the zombie virus? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274.md?page=2)