The Smallpox Virus -- Biological Weapon or Research Tool?

In May 2014, the World Health Assembly met in Geneva to debate the destruction of the world last know stockpiles of the Variola virus, which causes smallpox.

Well before the Assembly met it was clear that opinion was divided -- Should the known repositories in secure laboratories in both Russia and USA be destroyed, thus preventing their use as an infectious agent in the future, or kept to ensure that the genetic material was available to scientists and researchers for the development of antivirals and vaccines.

Two ANU experts, Associate Professor Guna Karupiah and Professor Peter Collignon present their own opposing views on this debate, in light of the vote to delay a final decision pending further discussion.