WHO assembly to consider smallpox research

Updated: 09:12, Wednesday, 18 May 2005

The annual assembly of the World Health Organisation in Geneva is due to consider the controversial question of whether to allow further research on the smallpox virus.

The annual assembly of the World Health Organisation in Geneva is due to consider the controversial question of whether to allow further research on the smallpox virus.

Critics of such a move say that the last remaining samples of the deadly disease, which was eradicated from the human population nearly 30 years ago, should be destroyed.

However, senior WHO official, Dr Mike Ryan, said the results of further research on the virus might one day be needed.

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