The global eradication of smallpox and the work of Frank Fenner
CR Robert George A and William Rawlinson A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
Virology Division, SEALS Microbiology
Prince of Wales Hospital
Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
Email: w.rawlinson@unsw.edu.au
Microbiology Australia 35(3) 165-168 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA14043
Published: 26 August 2014
Abstract
The 1950s and 1960s represented a golden era in scientific discovery when many believed science would solve the world's greatest problems. It was the era when colour television was introduced and the role of DNA described, space programmes, the introduction of vaccines for polio, measles and mumps, and the structures of proteins began to be described. Many discoveries were controversial, but there was a strong belief science was taking the world forward and reducing medical problems rapidly. The Intensified Smallpox Eradication Program (ISEP) won united support from both the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the United States of America (USA). The initiative was passed by only a small margin (two votes) and came on the back of several failed disease eradication programmes1.
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