The UN Convention of 10 April 1972 bans the development, production and storage of biological weapons. Prohibition of their use was already covered by the 1925 Geneva Protocol. Pursuant to Article XII of the 1972 Convention, two follow-up conferences have been held, in 1980 and 1986, and an expert meeting in Geneva in 1987. As a result, the parties to the Convention have agreed to the exchange of equipment, materials and scientific information relevant to biological weapons, open publication of research, and exchange of scientists. Historically, the spread of infections has often been attempted in warfare. Presently, the very rapid development of biotechnology creates a diffuse situation, where the development of biological weapons is quite conceivable. This indicates that our national preparedness concept will have to include preparedness against biological warfare for several more decades.