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WHA resolutions andWHO Protocol
approval process
•
1999WHA resolution - postpone decision on destruction until 2002
•
2002WHA resolution - postpone decision on destruction
•
2005WHA
–
Increased focus on “essential” public health research
•
Interpreted by WHO committee to preclude fundamental research
–
Major review of the research to the WHA in 2011
•
Advisory Group of Independent Experts (AGIES) review
Variola virus
research in 2010
•
2011WHA
–
Resolution to revisit in 3 years
•
AGIES conduct second review of
Variola virus
research in 2013
•
2013WHA
–
Request to consider question of synthetic biology
•
Report to be shared 2016
Virus characterization
“Genomic sequencing and limited study of
Variola virus
surface proteins derived from
geographically dispersed specimens is an
essential foundation for important future
work. Such research could be carried out
now, and could require a delay in the
destruction of known stocks, but would not
necessitate their indefinite retention.*”
*
Assessment of Future Scientific Needs for Live
Variola Virus
; N.A.Press (1999)