The term originated in the proceedings to the Sixth Review Conference of the Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention held in Geneva in 2006. In the previous review conference talks broke down over American refusals to allow for a verification mechanism be established to monitor biological weapons programs in states parties.
The term emerged during the Sixth Review Conference on Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention's proceedings in Geneva in 2006. Previous conference discussions faltered because of U.S. opposition to implementing a verification mechanism for monitoring biological weapons activities among participating countries.