Eradicating Smallpox: Triumphs and Risks

This chapter explores the eradication of smallpox, focusing on the final efforts in India that led to its global elimination in 1980. It discusses the complexities of retaining smallpox samples for research despite the virus being eradicated, highlighting potential risks and ethical debates surrounding vaccination. The chapter celebrates the triumph of scientific collaboration while expressing caution about the ongoing implications for public health and safety.