Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
ence of the report is clear from a 1955 memo titled “Program of Biological
Studies,” 31 which takes up Costedoat's key recommendations. The memo
allocated the tasks among the research bodies involved in the BW pro-
gram. The CEB undertook the selection and preparation of biological
agents (studies of complex toxins), storage of biological agents, studies
on the preservation of the vitality and virulence of lyophilized micro-
organisms, resistance of bacteria to explosion, potential to infect areas
by primary and secondary aerosols, the improvement of explosive de-
vices (study of dispersion by 150-millimeter self-propelled projectiles and
cluster bombs once the Air Force had chosen its preferred delivery
means), and protection (studies on the effectiveness of gas masks vis-à-
vis bacterial aerosols and viruses). The research laboratories of the Army
Veterinary Service were entrusted with the study of pathogenic animal
viruses and the study of the behavior of viruses when subject to freeze-
drying.
1956-1962: Decline
The years 1955 and 1956 marked a turning point in the French BW pro-
gram, when budgetary and strategic priority shifted to nuclear arms. 32
This change in military policy considerably reduced the budgetary alloca-
tion to BW and pared biological warfare activities to a program of scien-
tific monitoring. Despite the lack of written evidence (the subject was
mentioned only indirectly in CEECB meetings), 33 it seems likely that it
was Minister of Defense Maurice Bourgès-Maunoury who decided to re-
duce drastically the monetary allocation to the CBW programs in 1956.
The decision coincided exactly with the start of France's nuclear weapons
development program. The significant budgetary outlay required by the
nuclear program caused an immediate drain on the resources allocated to
the biological and chemical programs. The years 1956-1972 were marked
by uncertainty and continual challenges as France abandoned research
into offensive BW. On several occasions, decisions were made to recom-
mence activities and even to create an operational biological arsenal, but
these were not implemented owing to insufficient funding.
At a meeting of the CEECB on 20 November 1957, General Fleury (di-
rector of the Services des Poudres) opened by noting that “significant
budgetary cutbacks are hampering the BW program” and leading to a
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