News
World Health Assembly votes not to destroy smallpox virus
BMJ 2005; 330 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.330.7502.1230 (Published 26 May 2005) Cite this as: BMJ 2005;330:1230
- Janice Hopkins Tanne
- New York
The world's two remaining stocks of smallpox virus, kept in Russia and in the United States, should not be destroyed just yet, the World Health Assembly decided last week at its meeting in Geneva. Scientists may be allowed to genetically manipulate fragments of the virus to evaluate new drugs and treatments.
Smallpox was eradicated 25 years ago. Because vaccination stopped, many people lack immunity to the virus. Smallpox kills about …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £173 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£38 / $45 / €42 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.