Deciding the Fate of Smallpox
2017
This case summarizes the history, biology, and bioethics of smallpox. It considers its vaccination, eradication, and the potential of frozen research stocks of the virus to re-infect the world. It describes the cause, effects, symptoms, history of vaccination, successful efforts to achieve worldwide eradication in 1980. The case invites readers to consider decision-making scenarios and apply them to additional study of other infectious diseases for which eradication may be possible. The case is suitable for high school biology, undergraduate courses in microbiology, or a bioethics module.
A teaching note and answer key are available separately as password-protected, subscriber-only resources for teachers.
Source:
Pruneski JA. What Should the Victor Do with the Vanquished? Deciding the Fate of Smallpox. National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science, University at Buffalo 2017. https://www.nsta.org/ncss-case-study/what-should-victor-do-vanquished#tab.