WHO Advisory Committee on Variola Virus Research, report of the 8th meeting, Geneva, Switzerland, 16-17 November 2006
Overview
Dr Cathy Roth welcomed participants to the eighth meeting of the Advisory Committee on Variola Virus Research on behalf of Dr Mike Ryan. She indicated that the World Health Assembly (WHA) is showing an increased interest in research involving live variola virus and that it needs clear arguments to support continuation of such research and that it will be important to identify the public health benefits of this research. She also reminded the meeting that participants are sub-divided into three groups – full members, who would be responsible for decision-making, advisers, who would be able to participate fully in the discussions and so contribute to the development of the Advisory Committee’s recommendations, and observers.
Dr Cathy Roth ended her introductory remarks by reminding the meeting that Professor Lev Sandakhchiev had suddenly died in the past year and she asked the participants to spend a few moments in silent recollection.
The Advisory Committee elected Professor Geoffrey Smith as Chairman and Dr Robert Drillien as Rapporteur. Participants then introduced themselves.