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GUEST: Edward Hammond, Director of The Sunshine Project

Small Pox, a disease that has killed millions over the history of the world, was eradicated in 1977 in an effort led by the World Health Organization. However, the eradication was not entirely complete as viral stocks still exist. Today, the decision to destroy these stocks or to use them in research, has led to a heated international debate. The World Health Assembly, or WHA, has been unable to decide the fate of small pox viral stocks, currently being held in repositories in the US and Russia. The WHA is the decision making body of the World Health Organization, and consists of delegates from 192 member states. The discussion over the small pox viral stocks has been on-going for several years, particularly following recommendations from a WHO advisory committee in 2004 to greatly expand smallpox research, including genetic engineering experiments. Many developing nations, particularly in Africa, sought a resolution that established a destruction date for the virus, a prohibition on genetic engineering, regular reviews of virus research, and strengthened oversight by the WHO. The United States however, has refused to consider fixing a new destruction date. Offers by developing countries of a compromise were also rejected.

For more information, visit www.smallpoxbiosafety.org, and www.sunshine-project.org.