To destroy the last known stocks of Smallpox (Variola Virus) - Agree or Disagree?

Following last weeks lesson we were asked to argue if we agree'd or disagree'd with the following:

'One of the longest and most contentious international policy debates has swirled around the question of whether to destroy the last known stocks of the Smallpox (Variola) virus, which are preserved at two World Health Organization (WHO)- authorized repositories in Russia and the United States. Although smallpox was eradicated from nature more than three decades ago, concerns surfaced in the early 1990's that a few countries might have retained undeclared samples of the virus for biological warfare purposes. Because a smallpox outbreak would be a global public health emergancy of major   proportions, in 1999 the WHO approved a research program at the two authorized repositories to develop improved medical defences against the disease.'

As part of our studies we were asked to produce a two-page seminar in support of our position in-relation to the question above, and present our findings in the group for an 'open' discussion.

Once the discussion has taken place i will update you all on my position and evaluate what my peers have brought forward with regards to the arguement.

Smallpox (Variola)

                                                                Variola virus

                                                http://www.viewzone.com/smallpox.html