Undeniably, smallpox was among the most dreaded of all infectious diseases! It killed millions around the world each year. As nearly 80% of those infected would die, parents dared not count their children as their own until they had survived the regular and inevitable outbreaks of the infection. Many that survived the onslaught were left sightless or severely disfigured for life, but mercifully with lasting immunity to reinfection.
Where is smallpox now? Indeed, it was ‘eradicated’ in 1980 – wiped off the face of the earth – the first major infection of humans ever to suffer that fate! But, how was that seemingly impossible task realized? Here, we must thank those who dared to conceive the idea of smallpox eradication in the first place and their ability to make it a reality by marshalling through the World Health Organization (WHO) the massive and sustained global effort needed. The eradication of smallpox is often called a “planned miracle” and an achievement of which medical science can justifiably be proud!
While we are free from the scourge of smallpox, samples of the smallpox virus are still kept under tight security in the U.S. and Russia, with the debate raging over the need to keep such stocks. Those in favor of keeping the stocks argue we have no right to destroy any species, even a dreaded pathogen and, also, that we may need the virus for future research and better vaccines. The proponents for the destruction point to the risk of accidental or deliberate release of the pathogen with potentially disastrous consequences.
Recently, Canadian researchers have recreated the horsepox virus in the laboratory using synthetic biology and mail-order DNA sequences. This raises the specter of someone, somewhere doing the same with the smallpox virus! If so, should there be an embargo on such investigations for the obvious risks they entail? Or, would imposing any such restrictions be considered tantamount to impeding scientific research and acquisition of new knowledge? This debate exemplifies the need for a proper balance between our unending thirst for knowledge and our responsibility for the safety of the society at large!
Further reading:
Kupferschmidt, K. (July
2017). Labmade smallpox is possible, study shows. Science 357 (6347): 115-116.
WHO (2010). The
Smallpox Eradication Program. http://www.who.int/features/2010/smallpox/en/.
