The quote compares the risks of using biological weapons to the dangers of holding a grenade. The imagery suggests that attempting to target an enemy with such means while controlling the consequences is fraught with peril. Just as a grenade's shrapnel indiscriminately affects its surroundings, so too can biological agents have unintended impacts on the user. The analogy highlights the inherent unpredictability and ethical dilemmas associated with these forms of warfare.

In Scalzi's "Unlocked: An Oral History of Haden's Syndrome," this perspective sheds light on the complexities of using harmful technologies against opponents. It emphasizes the impossibility of safely wielding destructive power without risk to oneself. The quote serves as a cautionary statement about the unforeseen repercussions that come from engaging in such dangerous tactics in conflict.