18 U.S.C. § 175 : US Code - Section 175: Prohibitions with respect to biological weapons

Search 18 U.S.C. § 175 : US Code - Section 175: Prohibitions with respect to biological weapons

(a) In General. - Whoever knowingly develops, produces,
stockpiles, transfers, acquires, retains, or possesses any
biological agent, toxin, or delivery system for use as a weapon, or
knowingly assists a foreign state or any organization to do so, or
attempts, threatens, or conspires to do the same, shall be fined
under this title or imprisoned for life or any term of years, or
both. There is extraterritorial Federal jurisdiction over an
offense under this section committed by or against a national of
the United States.
(b) Additional Offense. - Whoever knowingly possesses any
biological agent, toxin, or delivery system of a type or in a
quantity that, under the circumstances, is not reasonably justified
by a prophylactic, protective, bona fide research, or other
peaceful purpose, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not
more than 10 years, or both. In this subsection, the terms
"biological agent" and "toxin" do not encompass any biological
agent or toxin that is in its naturally occurring environment, if
the biological agent or toxin has not been cultivated, collected,
or otherwise extracted from its natural source.
(c) Definition. - For purposes of this section, the term "for use
as a weapon" includes the development, production, transfer,
acquisition, retention, or possession of any biological agent,
toxin, or delivery system for other than prophylactic, protective,
bona fide research, or other peaceful purposes.