I heard that at ICV, there was a debate concerning the US government policy
to collect and destruct all the smallpox virus stocks in the world. Actually,
the decision seems to have been already made, and unless there is a strong
claim against this policy from someone, there will be no smallpox virion
on this planet after Dec. 31 this year.
I didn't attend ICV, and I'd appreciate it if someone familiar with
this debate could contribute some information on this issue.
--Michiaki
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Michiaki Masuda
Visiting Associate
Laboratory of Molecular Oncology
National Cancer Institute
Frederick, MD 21702-1201
U.S.A.
