Should the US and Russia destroy their stocks of smallpox virus?

BMJ. 2007 Apr 14;334(7597):775. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39156.490799.BE.

Abstract

Smallpox was eradicated in 1980, but the virus still exists in WHO controlled depositories. Edward Hammond maintains that stocks should be destroyed to prevent the disease re-emerging, but John Agwunobi insists further research is essential for global security

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Biological Specimen Banks / ethics*
  • Health Policy
  • Humans
  • Smallpox Vaccine
  • Variola virus*
  • Virology / ethics*

Substances

  • Smallpox Vaccine