Concept explainers
To analyze:
The pros and cons of salvaging or destroying smallpox stocks.
Introduction:
Smallpox was once one of the deadliest diseases, with the virulent form causing toxemia, intravascular coagulation and shock. It has now been completely eliminated except for its presence in government laboratories in the United States and the former Soviet Union (today’s Russia).
Explanation of Solution
The last case of smallpox was seen in 1977. Smallpox virus stocks are today available only in government laboratories in the United States and Russia. Although WHO recommended the destruction of these stocks, scientists from both countries refused. The pros of holding onto the stocks of the virus are that research can be conducted on the virus, to develop antiviral drugs or vaccines safer than the vaccinia vaccine.
The cons involve the potential for misuse of the viral stocks (as bioweapons) by all those who have it in their custody. The virus is deadly and has caused many civilizations to be destroyed. The potential for misuse is a danger that far outweighs the benefits that keeping the stocks may have. By destroying the stocks, this danger can be eliminated.
Keeping the stocks of the smallpox virus may have the advantage of allowing research in the development of antiviral drugs or better vaccines against it. However, the potential for misuse is a significant danger.
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Chapter 24 Solutions
Foundations in Microbiology
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