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Biological Weapons Act 1974
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- UK Public General Acts
- 1974 c. 6
- Section 1
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1 Restriction on development etc. of certain biological agents and toxins and of biological weapons.U.K.
(1)No person shall develop, produce, stockpile, acquire or retain—
(a)any biological agent or toxin of a type and in a quantity that has no justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes; or
(b)any weapon, equipment or means of delivery designed to use biological agents or toxins for hostile purposes or in armed conflict.
[F1(1A)A person shall not—
(a)transfer any biological agent or toxin to another person or enter into an agreement to do so, or
(b)make arrangements under which another person transfers any biological agent or toxin or enters into an agreement with a third person to do so,
if the biological agent or toxin is likely to be kept or used (whether by the transferee or any other person) otherwise than for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes and he knows or has reason to believe that that is the case.]
(2)In this section—
“biological agent” means any microbial or other biological agent; and
“toxin” means any toxin, whatever its origin or method of production.
(3)Any person contravening this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction on indictment, be liable to imprisonment for life.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 1(1A) inserted (14.12.2001) by 2001 c. 24, s. 43
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 1 extended (prosp.) by 2000 c. 11, ss. 62(2)(b), 128
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