Revisiting western crimes | U.S. biological atrocities in East Asia

Pars Today – The crimes of the United States in East Asia are complex and highly controversial, and have been widely discussed.

According to Pars Today, one of the most significant actions by the U.S. has been the use of biological and chemical weapons and the conduct of biological experiments in various parts of East Asia, leaving serious negative impacts on human life and the environment. Some of the major incidents in this context include:

U.S. biological experiments in East Asia
In the 1940s and 1950s, the United States conducted tests of biological weapons, including plague and other infectious diseases, across various parts of Asia, particularly in China and Korea. One notable example involved operations carried out under the guise of biological experiments in certain areas of these countries.

Historical reports and documents indicate that the U.S. was indirectly responsible for outbreaks of plague and other diseases in these regions. Many of these actions were conducted as covert military experiments, aimed at assessing the effects of biological and chemical weapons on human populations and economic infrastructure.

One of the most horrific of these crimes was committed by the United States in South Korea and parts of northeastern China, where large quantities of bacteria, insects, feathers, decayed animal parts, and fish were released over the populations and agricultural lands.

These actions caused outbreaks of diseases such as plague, anthrax, and encephalitis, leading to widespread and rapid mortality among the local populations. The consequences of these crimes continue to affect East Asian countries today, with the birth of children suffering from genetic diseases.

The experiments were sometimes conducted openly and at other times covertly. In these tests, certain diseases were deliberately spread among human and animal populations to study their impact on ecosystems and the defensive capacity of various nations.

Use of biological weapons in the Vietnam war
During the Vietnam War (1955–1975), the United States was accused of using biological and chemical weapons to destroy natural resources, weaken enemy forces, and harm civilian populations.

One of the most notorious actions was the use of the chemical “Agent Orange”, which contained dioxin. This chemical was widely deployed in war zones and had devastating effects on human health, particularly for subsequent generations. While it did not directly cause famine or the spread of disease, its environmental and health impacts were extensive and long-lasting.

Long-term impacts on health and the environment
The use of biological and chemical weapons in East Asia, particularly in China, Korea, and Vietnam, had devastating and long-lasting effects on both the environment and human populations.

Outbreaks of diseases such as plague, cholera, malaria, and respiratory illnesses occurred in some of these regions, endangering the lives of millions. These diseases not only threatened immediate human life but also had harmful effects on subsequent generations.

In Vietnam, even after the war ended, millions of people continued to suffer from the effects of chemical and biological agents. Many developed skin diseases, cancers, and congenital disabilities. The environment was also severely damaged, with numerous natural resources—including forests and agricultural lands—destroyed.

Conclusion
The crimes of the United States in East Asia, particularly the use of biological and chemical weapons, had profound and widespread impacts on human health and the environment in the region. The deliberate or indirect spread of plague and other deadly diseases, especially during the Vietnam War, demonstrates that the use of these weapons not only caused immediate harm but also led to long-term consequences for future generations.

These events must continue to be carefully examined so that their international implications are clarified and greater accountability is demanded from the countries responsible for such inhumane actions.