Poxviruses as Agents of Biological Warfare: The Importance of Ensuring Ethical Standards for Research with Viruses

Historically, biological agents have been used to target various populations. One of the earliest examples could be the catastrophic effect of smallpoxSmallpox in Australia in the eighteenth century (as alleged by some historians). Modern biological techniques can be used to both create or provide protection against various agents of biological warfare. Any microorganism (viruses, bacteria, and fungi) or its toxins can be used as biological agents. Minnesota Department of Health has listed SmallpoxSmallpox (variola major) as a category A bioterrorismBioterrorism agent, even though it has been eradicated in 1980 through an extensive vaccination campaign. Category A agents are considered the highest risk to public health. Laboratory-associated outbreaks of poxvirusesPoxvirus could cause unprecedented occupational hazards. Only two WHO-approved BSL-4 facilities in the United States and Russia are allowed to perform research on the variola virus. So, poxvirusesPoxvirus present themselves as a classical case of a dual-use dilemma, since research with them can be used for both beneficial and harmful purposes. Although the importance of ethicsEthics in scientific research requires no further elaboration, ethical norms assume greater significance during experimentation with poxvirusesPoxvirus. In this chapter, we will update the readers on the sensitive nature of conducting research with poxvirusesPoxvirus, and how these viruses can be a source of potential biological weaponsBiological weapons. Finally, specified ethical guidelines are explored to ensure safe research practices in virology.