Should the Last Remaining Samples of Smallpox Be Destroyed? - Polidicks

[quote]Smallpox is one of the deadliest viruses in our history. It killed more than 300 million people in the 20th century alone.More than 30 years ago, the World Health Organization declared smallpox eradicated. The triumphant announcement came after a global vaccination campaign, and painstaking efforts were made to ensure every last sample of smallpox - known as the variola virus - was destroyed. Just a few specimens were preserved. They are currently stored in liquid nitrogen in two high-security laboratories in Russia and the United States.[/quote] [URL]http://www.dw.de/biosecurity-is-it-time-to-destroy-the-remaining-live-samples-of-smallpox/a-17628791[/URL] Just in case, I feel they should be kept, so more research can continue to be conducted.

who knows maybe the key to destroying a future ultra virus lies in the small pox virus. I think its pretty stupid to eradicate anything to extinction.

No. Next question, please!

[QUOTE=Sgt-NiallR;44812932]No. Next question, please![/QUOTE] What is the meaning of life?

Their existence would be invaluable for further anti-viral research. [editline]15th May 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=thelurker1234;44812935]What is the meaning of life?[/QUOTE] No. Next?

I think it's funny that Russia and the USA both have a sample. Like if the Cold War goes hot again and they run out of nukes they'll shoot smallpox at each other.

[QUOTE=cis.joshb;44812947]I think it's funny that Russia and the USA both have a sample. Like if the Cold War goes hot again and they run out of nukes they'll shoot smallpox at each other.[/QUOTE] in super soakers ADVANCED WARS

Not exactly smallpox. It should lose lethality before spreading too far if they're successful. Smallpox, anthrax, diptheria. We have some weird weapons in storage

[QUOTE=cis.joshb;44812947]I think it's funny that Russia and the USA both have a sample. Like if the Cold War goes hot again and they run out of nukes they'll shoot smallpox at each other.[/QUOTE] Biological warfare is far worse than nuclear warfare.

Keep it for research. Those labs are locked down so tight I'd be surprised if it ever spread from the lab to the public.

In my opinion, yes, we should keep remaining samples. Not only is the newer ACAM2000 still waiting for approval in some parts of the world, but it still doesn't solve the fact that people with eczema are unable to recieve it or be around anyone who has (eczema vaccinatum). There's also the small risk of cardiac problems. Minor issues, yes, but still issues worth solving before countries destroy any possible chance they have of future research.

There is no need to destroy it. If we feel like we have learned all there is to learn from it, we should still keep samples stored away. Who knows when we could need the virus for research?

once again this law comes into effect[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge's_law_of_headlines"] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge's_law_of_headlines[/URL]

[QUOTE=Wii60;44813096]once again this law comes into effect[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge's_law_of_headlines"] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge's_law_of_headlines[/URL][/QUOTE] I was wanting to put that in the OP along with the title but I couldn't think of what the law was called

[QUOTE=Wii60;44813096]once again this law comes into effect[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge's_law_of_headlines"] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge's_law_of_headlines[/URL][/QUOTE] [URL="https://twitter.com/YourTitleSucks"]suprisingly accurate[/URL]

By destroying it, you risk fucking yourself over with tougher strains later down the road.

[QUOTE=thelurker1234;44812935]What is the meaning of life?[/QUOTE] Butts

[QUOTE=thelurker1234;44812935]What is the meaning of life?[/QUOTE] asses and titties

[QUOTE=KillerJaguar;44812990]Biological warfare is far worse than nuclear warfare.[/QUOTE] Not if you're immune.

[QUOTE=cis.joshb;44812947]I think it's funny that Russia and the USA both have a sample. Like if the Cold War goes hot again and they run out of nukes they'll shoot smallpox at each other.[/QUOTE] that's kinda exactly why they both had the samples, so neither one could weaponize it without the other side developing counters that's why we have shit like vx gas and bio weapons, they truly were never ment to be fielded, only studied so counters can be developed in case the other side did use it

[QUOTE=KillerJaguar;44812990]Biological warfare is far worse than nuclear warfare.[/QUOTE] I'd rather be vaporized in atomic fire than deteriorate to nothing from a sickness.

[QUOTE=Sgt-NiallR;44812932]No. Next question, please![/QUOTE] As was said before it could hold the key to fighting other viruses. (I accidentally voted disagree)^

[QUOTE=ZakkShock;44813301]I'd rather be vaporized in atomic fire than deteriorate to nothing from a sickness.[/QUOTE] [I] we hold these truths to be self evident that all men may be cremated equally[/I]

[QUOTE=Explosions;44813275]Not if you're immune.[/QUOTE] Disease is always one step ahead, at least. Life finds a way.

[QUOTE=Novangel;44812938]Their existence would be invaluable for further anti-bacterial research. [editline]15th May 2014[/editline] No. Next?[/QUOTE] Smallpox is a virus, yo.

[QUOTE=Zero-Point;44813378]Smallpox is a virus, yo.[/QUOTE] Oops, mixed that up with something else, fixed. Thanks bud :v:

Copy it's genome to a hard drive and incinerate all the samples, keep an electronic record so if worst comes to worst and some cock smoking dictator unleashes his hidden stash we can revive it, study it and recreate any vaccines or whatever we need.

Obviously it should be kept in case it makes a return Then again if it does make a return, it won't be difficult to get samples anyway, so really, what difference would it make

if we know all there is to know about it then why not . i honestly dont like the idea of secret stashes of deadly diseases hidden away by the governments. if we can erradicate it then lets do it

The last sample of Smallpox is in containment. The world is at peace.