The threat of smallpox virus being deployed as a biological weapon has seemed remote since stock for the virus has been inaccessible to all but a handful of authorized personnel in the U.S. and Russia. However, current cutting-edge biotechnology has made de novo (from scratch) synthesis of smallpox, and potentially any virus, a 21st century possibility.

Kosal joined experts and representatives from U.S. government agencies and laboratories, the World Health Organization, Interpol, and the World Bank in an exploration of security threats from genetic manipulation of orthopox viruses and the research needed to anticipate them. Topics included the role for deterrence, current international and global security arrangements, the role of the U.S. government is guiding the discussion, and possible paths forward to close gaps in the current countermeasures.