A four part series that explores the explosive intersection between terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. The first episode looks at biological and chemical weapons. Viewers are not only given historical context about these horrific weapons, but also are brought face-to-face with victims who lived through biological or chemical weapons attacks.

Biological and chemical weapons represent one of the 21st century's most urgent challenges. They could be the weapons of choice for terrorists and rogue regimes - silent killers with the capacity to claim more lives over greater distances than a nuclear bomb. But unlike a nuclear bomb, these weapons are relatively easy to make - and to use - by anyone with access to a small lab and who is willing to do the unthinkable.

Sadly, the names of these weapons are now part of our lexicon: sarin, anthrax, plague, smallpox, VX gas. The world is in a desperate race to detect, control and protect everyone from their deadly terror. "Silent Killers: Poisons and Plagues" is the opening program of the series Avoiding Armageddon. It takes a dramatic and thoughtful look at where these devastating weapons came from, who has them, who might use them and what the world must do to prevent their use.

The Link TV broadcast of this program was made possible by Ted Turner Documentaries and by PBS, which first broadcast the series. 

LEARN MORE:

For more information on this episode, click here.

Avoiding Armageddon is available on videocassette or DVD. To order, call PBS Home Video at 1-800-PLAY-PBS or online at pbs.org. The companion book to the series is also available from PBS and other on-line booksellers.