Forty-five years after the World Health Organization declared smallpox eradicated in nature, the question persists: could traces of the disease still exist somewhere on Earth?
For a long span there were no detected outbreaks or isolated cases. Officially, smallpox was defeated in the wild. Yet observers remind us that living systems, including viruses, are part of life’s cycle. In this view, humanity faced down the smallpox threat and gained an advantage in the ongoing struggle among species.
The world can be unforgiving. One side may dominate at a moment, and in this instance, humanity prevailed over smallpox.
Is there any trace of smallpox still in nature? It is acknowledged that the virus remains in certain places, such as historic cemeteries. Official storage exists in laboratories around the globe, including facilities in Atlanta and Novosibirsk.
And is there more to this story beyond those sites? It is believed that additional storage locations exist in other nations, including the United States and Russia, with plausible samples in a few other regions such as China and potentially the United Kingdom.
Why keep the virus in laboratories? In many developed countries, biological facilities operate under the oversight of public health and defense authorities and may preserve smallpox for research and preparedness planning. Debates have arisen over whether to retain or destroy such stocks. A pivotal moment came with the discussion of a synthetic horsepox virus presented at a closed World Health Organization meeting in Geneva in late 2016, influencing opinions on the matter.
How is it known that these discussions occurred? The information entered the scientific discourse a few years later through a high-profile science journal, which aided public understanding of the issue.
Who created the synthetic version of horsepox? A virologist from a Canadian university led a team that used mailed DNA fragments to assemble smallpox related sequences in a stepwise process. This sparked debate about whether a similar approach could recreate smallpox. Scientific journals published limited details, with broader discussions appearing in more general outlets later.
Is building such a virus technically challenging? From a genetic engineering perspective, assembling a fully synthetic smallpox agent requires advanced tools and expertise. The smallpox genome is lengthy, presenting substantial hurdles even for well-equipped laboratories. Yet the same argument shows that it could be feasible under certain conditions. The discussion notes that horsepox was engineered in the same family of viruses and shares genetic ties with the vaccine related virus historically used to control smallpox. The core idea is that the vaccine lineage is well studied, and understanding these links helps researchers address real world health challenges.
What about the vaccine itself? The vaccine used a related virus as a backbone, with genetic modifications explored to improve delivery. If adenovirus based systems serve as delivery vehicles, the analogy is like a small car carrying a compact payload, while the main vaccine virus acts as a large carrier. The practical challenge lies in balancing safety with effectiveness when handling such large viral genomes.
Access to laboratory capabilities means this cannot be done at home or outside proper facilities. A number of laboratories worldwide possess the skills and equipment needed, with many located in the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, and parts of Asia. Some observers have suggested that the cost and time involved could be substantial, relying on top experts and sophisticated infrastructure.
Which synthetic viruses exist today? Reports indicate several synthetic pathogens have been described, including those related to poliovirus, coronaviruses, herpesviruses, and influenza. Influenza remains a persistent threat due to its ability to exchange genetic segments, sometimes altering how well antibodies recognize the virus even after vaccination. The idea of a pathogen with enhanced infectivity highlights the challenges of staying ahead with vaccines and therapeutics each year.
Could antagonists someday exploit synthetic biology to create a highly potent virus capable of affecting multiple pathogens? Nature has produced diverse viral forms over time, and the possibility exists for engineered agents to emerge or be developed further. The question then becomes how to respond quickly as new threats arise, including through means that would enable rapid delivery of therapeutic or preventive measures.
Is it possible to create a virus never seen before in nature? Advances in genome engineering show this possibility exists, with research facilities exploring new forms that do not match any known natural virus. The aim behind such work is often therapeutic or protective, focusing on delivery methods for gene therapy and cancer treatment rather than mere replication of threats. In some cases, gene therapy products use related viral backbones to deliver corrective genes to patients in need. The discussion also touches on well known therapies that have reached market approval in various regions, reflecting both potential benefits and safety concerns in real world medical use.
What roles do synthetic viruses play in medicine? Some engineered viral vectors act as delivery systems for therapeutic genes, with examples of approved treatments used to address hereditary retinal diseases and other conditions. The ongoing work seeks to improve safety and broader applicability while informing clinical decisions and regulatory oversight. There are moments in history when the introduction of new therapies faced public scrutiny, underscoring the need for careful evaluation and ongoing patient safety measures.
Why pursue synthetic viruses? The aim is to support vaccines, enhance cancer therapies, and expand the toolkit for preventing and treating disease. In cancer applications, certain engineered viruses are explored as agents that can seek out and disrupt cancer cells while signaling the immune system to respond. While progress comes with risk, it also opens doors to new medical possibilities that researchers pursue for patient benefit.
The overarching message is that synthetic biology holds substantial promise alongside notable risk. The ongoing conversation emphasizes balancing scientific advancement with public health protection, with a shared goal of improving outcomes for people worldwide. It is useful to note that the World Health Organization has archived discussions and peer reviewed analyses that inform these considerations.