Bioweapon/Legends

A bioweapon was a genetically engineered pathogen developed and used as a military weapon. It was often, although not always, designed to affect only a specific species or number of species.

History
Bioweapons have been in use in various times and by various cultures in the course of history. Apparently, their use was not exclusive to the known galaxy either, as Ship remembered the use of the Plague bomb in an ancient war in a far-away galaxy. In addition, the extradimensional Charon were known to employ bioweapons extensively.

Bioweapons such as Trihexalon were known in the time of the Old Republic. During the Clone Wars, the Separatists employed bioweapons such as the Loedorvian Brain Plague and Blue Shadow Virus in their struggle against the Republic. Rokur Gepta used a bioweapon contained in his electromagnetic torpedo to devastate the planet Tund, and kill its inhabitants around 5 BBY.

The Galactic Empire developed a number of bioweapons during its time as the dominant galactic government, perhaps the most infamous being the Emperor's Plague and a number of other species-specific agents. After the Empire's fragmentation, the various succeeding Imperial Warlords continued to develop new pathogens. The most infamous use of bioweapons in Galactic history was probably the deliberate release of the Krytos plague on Coruscant by Ysanne Isard.

As technology progressed, bioweapons became more refined. In 11 ABY, Imperial scientists had developed sophisticated Nano-destroyers, artificial viruses keyed to a target's genetical makeup that were not only uncurable but also completely undetectable by conventional medical means.

During the Yuuzhan Vong Invasion, both sides deployed bioweapons. The extragalactic Yuuzhan Vong destroyed several entire planets, most notably Ithor, using various biological agents, and infected a number of Jedi with Spore diseases. Although the New Republic never sanctioned its use, Galactic Alliance Intelligence deployed the Alpha Red weapon on the planet Caluula, wiping out its Yuuzhan Vong population.

Workings and use
Bioweapons could be synthetically developed, such as Nano-destroyers, or refined from existing substances, such as the Alpha Red pathogen, which was refined from Bafforr tree pollen. While most bioweapons did not see general use (those employed by the Yuuzhan Vong being the exception), they could be used for a variety of purposes. Lethal pathogens such as the Hive virus could be used for annihilating entire populations, while others were more subtle. For example, the Vira606 was administered by the Imperial Security Bureau to some of its agents, making them dependent on constant antiserum injections and ensuring their loyalty.

Examples

 * Alpha Red
 * Bafforr tree pollen
 * Blue Shadow Virus
 * Death Seed
 * Hive virus
 * Krytos plague
 * Nano-destroyers
 * Trihexalophine1138

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Battlefront II
 * Star Wars 38: Riders in the Void
 * X-wing: Rogue Squadron
 * X-wing: Wedge's Gamble
 * X-wing: The Krytos Trap
 * X-wing: The Bacta War
 * I, Jedi
 * Champions of the Force
 * Vector Prime
 * Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream
 * Destiny's Way
 * The Unifying Force
 * Jedi Quest: The Shadow Trap
 * The Unifying Force
 * Jedi Quest: The Shadow Trap