Abstract：
Historically, biological agents have been used to target various populations. One of the earliest examples could be the catastrophic effect of smallpox in Australia in the eighteenth century (as alleged by some historians). Modern biological techniques can be used to both create or provide protection against various agents of biological warfare. Any microorganism (viruses, bacteria, and fungi) or its toxins can be used as biological agents. Minnesota Department of Health has listed Smallpox (variola major) as a category A bioterrorism agent, even though it has been eradicated in 1980 through an extensive vaccination campaign. Category A agents are considered the highest risk to public health. Laboratory-associated outbreaks of poxviruses could cause unprecedented occupational hazards. Only two WHO-approved BSL-4 facilities in the United States and Russia are allowed to perform research on the variola virus. So, poxviruses present themselves as a classical case of a dual-use dilemma, since research with them can be used for both beneficial and harmful purposes. Although the importance of ethics in scientific research requires no further elaboration, ethical norms assume greater significance during experimentation with poxviruses. In this chapter, we will update the readers on the sensitive nature of conducting research with poxviruses, and how these viruses can be a source of potential biological weapons. Finally, specified ethical guidelines are explored to ensure safe research practices in virology.
摘要：
历史上,生物制剂已被用于靶向各种群体。最早的例子之一可能是18世纪澳大利亚天花的灾难性影响（正如一些历史学家所说的那样）。现代生物技术可用于创建或提供针对各种生物战剂的保护。任何微生物（病毒，细菌,和真菌）或其毒素可用作生物制剂。明尼苏达州卫生部已将天花（天花）列为A类生物恐怖主义剂，尽管它在1980年通过广泛的疫苗接种运动被根除。A类试剂被认为是对公共卫生的最高风险。与实验室相关的痘病毒爆发可能会造成前所未有的职业危害。美国和俄罗斯只有两个世卫组织批准的BSL-4设施被允许进行天花病毒研究。所以,痘病毒表现为双重用途困境的经典案例，因为对它们的研究可以用于有益和有害的目的。尽管伦理学在科学研究中的重要性不需要进一步阐述，伦理规范在痘病毒实验中具有更大的意义。在这一章中,我们将向读者介绍进行痘病毒研究的敏感性，以及这些病毒如何成为潜在生物武器的来源。最后,探索指定的道德准则，以确保安全的病毒学研究实践。
