Weapons of Mass Destruction and Nuclear Ethics

The development of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) — nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons — has raised entirely new moral questions that religious traditions must address. Can weapons capable of killing millions of people ever be morally justified? This lesson explores religious and ethical perspectives on WMDs.

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What are Weapons of Mass Destruction?

Type	Description	Example
Nuclear weapons	Weapons that use nuclear fission or fusion to cause massive destruction	Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945)
Chemical weapons	Weapons that use toxic chemicals to kill or injure	Mustard gas (World War I); sarin gas (Syria)
Biological weapons	Weapons that use biological agents (bacteria, viruses) to cause disease	Anthrax, smallpox

Key Facts about Nuclear Weapons