Should the last smallpox virus be destroyed?

Smallpox has been one of the most dangerous and lethal infectious diseases in the history of mankind. Now, scientists have the opportunity to destroy the virus once and for all. In 1980, the WHO (World Health Organization) eradicated smallpox and thirty years later, there are only two locations where it can be found. One is at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States. Another is in a remote Siberian town in Russia.

Some people who witnessed the disease firsthand have a whole perspective view on the situation. They fully believe that Variola, the virus that causes smallpox, should be destroyed. Yet, in 1993, Russian officials argued the fact that there might be a hidden stock of the virus somewhere in the world. They might unleash it for the use of bioterrorism, which can be devastating for the human race. If the virus were to be destroyed, then it would be nearly impossible to find a vaccination that would work. On the other hand, if the virus were completely destroyed, then it would be the end of one of the worst human calamities in history.

In addition, there is also the possibility that someone could bio-engineer a virus. With the advanced use of technology these days, it is possible that one day smallpox could be made superficially. Dr. Inger Damon, a scientist at the Poxvirus and Rabies branch at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is one of the few people in the world who have access to the lethal virus. She states that valuable research could be learned from the virus, such as future prevention and maybe research for a future disease similar to smallpox.

Without a doubt, the WHO should keep these viruses for several reasons. First, someone can launch a bioterrorist campaign spreading out the smallpox virus. It would be much easier to make a vaccine that can handle the matter easily. Also, future research can be possible from the virus. Even though this virus has caused many problems in the past, we should clearly keep the virus because of the above reasons.