What are the advantages and disadvantages of microbes, vis-à-vis destructive “hardware” such as guns and bombs?

The advantages of microbes vis-à-vis destructive “hardware” such as guns and bombs is that they are often more effective at causing widespread damage without the need for explicit targeting. Anthrax is a good example of a bio-agent that can easily be transmitted through water or air. This allows the agent to inflict significant harm in a relatively short amount of time.

However, this also means that their use comes with a greater risk of accidental exposure – either to those who intend to deploy them or unintended victims who may come into contact with the microbe. Some microbes, depending on their type and strain, may also not survive certain environments. Extreme temperatures make them unsuitable for some situations. While there are many advantages to using microbes instead of hardware explosives, they also have some potential disadvantages that must be considered when making a decision on whether or not it should be used.