Nazis Studied Using Mosquitoes As Biological Weapons
Sucking blood An Anopheles stephensi mosquito, which can spread malaria. CDC In January of 1942, Heinrich Himmler ordered the opening of an entomological laboratory in the Dachau concentration camp in southeastern Germany. But why? The stated purpose of the institute was to study pests such as lice and fleas that were causing problems for German soldiers. But a new study into the history of the institute shows that much more went on there. Writing in the journal Endeavor, Tübingen University scientist Klaus Reinhardt suggests that the institute did research to see if mosquitoes could be used to spread diseases, perhaps malaria, to enemy troops. Letters from the group's lead scientist, Eduard May, confirm for the first time "the existence of an offensive biological warfare research programme in Nazi Germany," Reinhardt writes. For example: In a progress report dated 23 September...