Though smallpox was eradicated from the planet two decades ago, recent terrorist acts have raised the horrific possibility that rogue states, laboratories, or terrorist groups are in possession of secret stockpiles of the virus that causes the disease, and may be preparing to unleash it on target populations.
Because it is a far deadlier killer than other biological warfare agents such as anthrax, and because the universal vaccination against smallpox was halted decades ago, a smallpox attack today would be nothing short of catastrophic. This clear, authoritative study looks at the long and fascinating history of the virus, with an informative overview of the political, biological, environmental, medical, and legal issues surrounding the question of whether or not the virus should be exterminated.
The only two known samples of the virus are currently stored in Atlanta and Russia. The World Health Organization has repeatedly scheduled their destruction-an action that would rid the planet of all publicly acknowledged smallpox strains forever. Opponents of this plan argue that by destroying these last samples we are denying the possibility that this unique virus could be turned to beneficial purposes in basic scientific research. Others see the stockpile as part of a deterrent against future germ attacks. Proponents of prompt eradication argue that scientists have already learned all they can from this particular virus, and that by destroying the stockpile we are preventing it from ever falling into the wrong hands. As a thirty-year veteran of arms control issues, David Koplow is uniquely suited to provide readers with an informed and well-considered understanding of the complexities involved in the handling of this deadly virus.
Publishers Weekly,In this accessibly written analysis of smallpox policy, Koplow (By Fire and Ice), Georgetown University law professor and one-time deputy counsel at the U.S. Department of State, begins with two major points: smallpox has killed millions of people over the millennia, and the eradication of naturally occurring smallpox from the world has been one of humankind's most amazing success stories. Koplow brings readers up to date on the ongoing debate over whether the last known quantities of the smallpox virus, currently stored in Atlanta, Ga., and Novosibirsk, Russia, should be destroyed. While Koplow adequately presents all sides, his approach, unfortunately, only scratches the surface. (Readers will find a much more comprehensive and informative read in Jonathan Tucker's recent offering, Scourge, or Richard Preston's just released Demon in the Freezer.) Although Koplow asserts that his goal is to help readers decide whether smallpox should be eradicated, some of his chapters-"Environmental Law and Policy" and "World Health Organization" for example-are only marginally relevant to his purpose. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
