§175 Prohibitions with Respect to Biological Weapons

Summary

It is a crime to knowingly make, keep, move, buy, sell, or help others do those things with biological agents, toxins, or delivery systems if they are meant to be used as weapons, or to try, threaten, or plan such acts. Punishments can include a fine, life in prison, a prison term of any length, or both. The U.S. can prosecute these crimes even when a U.S. national is involved outside the country. It is also a crime to knowingly possess such agents or delivery systems in types or amounts that cannot be reasonably explained by prevention, protection, legitimate research, or other peaceful uses. That offense can bring a fine and up to 10 years in prison. Naturally occurring agents left in their natural source and not collected, grown, or extracted are not covered. "For use as a weapon" means any of these actions done for other than prevention, protection, legitimate research, or peaceful uses.