Should the Smallpox stocks be destroyed?

This is not a new argument but one that has divided nations for decades, on several occasions smallpox has been on the agenda of the World Health Association (WHA) meetings, the last time that this issue was discussed was May 2011. The meeting was again to discuss whether the stocks of smallpox should be kept or destroyed, no decision was made. The WHA decided that the subject would be reassessed in 2014 ‘The decision followed contentious discussions on a draft resolution, proposed by the US and several co-sponsors, that would have allowed continued retention of the existing virus stocks, with a report on progress of research only in five years time (2016), at the 69th WHA. Despite an informal working group meeting to deliberate the issue, there was no consensus and a decision was then made to defer the discussion on the draft resolution’ (Ching, 2011). The Report by Ching, 2011 also stated that as the stocks were to be kept for a further five years that an extensive research report would need to be kept and presented at the next meeting. Dr Henderson who led the eradication programme said ‘it’s a good idea to destroy the stocks, at this point the reasons for keeping the stocks are obscure. Group after group have looked at this and basically there is no need to retain it.’

In order to make a decision as to whether or not I believe the smallpox virus should be destroyed I have read the following:

The report from the 65^th WHA meeting outlining the decision to defer the subject for a further five years, CHING,L.L.2011. Attempts by the United States to prolong the retention of variola (smallpox) virus stocks have been thwarted at the World Health Assembly (WHA).Proceedings of the 65^th WHA Meeting. 16-24 May 2011.Geneva.

I have read online articles from science insider, MARTIN,E.2011 .After U.S pressure, smallpox wins reprieve again. [online] Cambridge. Science Insider. Available from: http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2011/05/smallpox-virus-wins-three-year.html [Accessed 11th April 2013]

An article at www.nature.com discussed reasons why the virus should be kept. NATURE INTRNATIONAL WEEKLY SCIENCE JOURNAL.2011.Smallpox should be saved. Nature.469.265. Available from: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v469/n7330/full/469265a.html [Accessed 11th April 2013]

Kathleen Sebelius who is the U.S secretary of health and human services also discussed reason to keep the stocks in an article in the New York Times. SEBELIUS,K. 2011.Why We Still Need Smallpox. [online] New York. New York Times. Available from: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/26/opinion/26iht-edsebelius26.html?_r=0 [Accessed 11^th April 2013]

The book Deadly Diseases and Epidemics, Smallpox proved very helpful as it discussed both sides of the argument. Finer,K,R.2004.Deadly Diseases and Epidemics:Smallpox.USA. Chelsea House Publications.

I did find whilst researching the subject that there seems to be an abundance of information discussing reasons why the virus should be kept as opposed to much less people supporting the destruction of the stocks. In the following posts I will outline the reasons for retaining the stocks and for destroying them.