The USDA’s Germplasm Resources Information Network went on-line
In 1985, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), the remnant of the effort…
Rotary International established its PolioPlus program
In 1985, Rotary International established its PolioPlus program, which held two fundraising events. Rotary has contributed over $500…
World’s genetic resources placed under the auspices and jurisdiction of the FAO
In 1983, at the 22nd session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), germplasm becomes a political football…
the 21st session of the FAO Conference in Rome, genetic resource conservation becomes an internationally politicized issue
On Nov. 25, 1981, at the 21st session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Conference in Rome,…
The World Heath Organization announced that “smallpox has been eradicated from the world”
On May 8, 1980, members of the World Heath Organization (WHO) in Geneva announced that “smallpox had been…
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The World Health Assembly certified the world free of naturally-occurring smallpox
On May 8, 1980, the World Health Assembly certified the world free of naturally-occurring smallpox. Smallpox is an…
The last naturally occurring case of smallpox in the world was diagnosed in Somalia
On Oct. 30, 1977, Ali Maow Maalin, a hospital cook in Merca, Somalia, was diagnosed with smallpox by…
The IBPGR project to develop a standardized computer system for germplasm was cancelled due to cost
In 1977, the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) having inherited from the Food and Agriculture Organization’s…
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The World Health Assembly created the Expanded Programme on Immunization to bring vaccines to the world’s children
In 1975, The World Health Assembly passed a resolution to create the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to…
Bioversity International established as the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources
In 1974, Bioversity International was established as the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) to coordinate an…
Life Science History | Polio | Vaccine | WHO
The Expanded Programme on Immunization was created within WHO
In 1974, the Expanded Programme on Immunization was created within World Health Organization (WHO) in response to poor…
FAO’s Plant Introduction Newsletter was renamed Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter
In 1971, The Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter was one of Bioversity Internationalﾒs flagship publications. Though no longer published,…
The FAO sponsored the first attempt to develop a computerized data bank for the world’s genetic resources
In 1969, The FAO’s Crop Ecology Unit sponsored the first attempt to develop a standardized, computerized data bank…
FAO’s Crop Ecology Unit srvey revealed that only 28% germplasm samples held worldwide are stored properly
In 1969, a survey by the FAO’s Crop Ecology Unit reveals that only 28% of the approximately two…
The FAO created a Crop Ecology and Genetic Resources Unit
In 1968, The FAO created a Crop Ecology and Genetic Resources Unit to act as a clearinghouse for…
The FAO and the International Biological Programme put on the second major conference on germplasm
On Sept. 18, 1967, the FAO and the International Biological Programme put on the second major conference on…
The Global Smallpox Eradication Program was launched by WHO
In 1967, the Global Smallpox Eradication Program was launched by WHO. During the first year of the program,…
Bifurcated needle for smallpox vaccine introduced
In 1965,tThe bifurcated needle for smallpox vaccine was introduced. In 1961 the bifurcated needle was developed as a…
The FAO established the Crop Research and Introduction Centre at Izmir, Turkey
In 1964, the FAO, backed by the U.N. Special Fund, sets up the Crop Research and Introduction Centre…
Life Science History | Polio | Vaccine | WHO
Oral polio vaccine, developed by Dr Albert Sabin, was licensed for use in the U.S.
In 1961, oral polio vaccine, developed by Dr. Albert Sabin, was licensed for use in the U.S. In…
As part of its World Seeds Year, the FAO held a Technical Conference on Plant Exploration and Introduction
In 1961, as part of its World Seeds Year, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) held a Technical…
The FAO published first Plant Introduction Newsletter, a periodical of germplasm
In 1957, the FAO published its first Plant Introduction Newsletter, a periodical summary of who has what germplasm…
CDC’s influenza branch designated a WHO Collaborating Centre for Surveillance and Control of Influenza
In 1956, the CDC’s Influenza Branch in Atlanta was designated a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for…
WHO’s Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System established
Since 1952, global influenza surveillance has been conducted through WHO’s Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS). The…
The Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System was created by the WHO
In 1952, the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) was created by World Health Organization (WHO) to…
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The World Health Organization was founded in Geneva
On Apr. 7, 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) was founded and is today the United Nations agency…
World Health Organization Influenza Centre was established in London
In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) Influenza Centre was established at the National Institute for Medical Research…
FAO became clearinghouse to facilitate free exchange of germplasm throughout the world
In 1947, an FAO subcommittee recommends that the FAO become a clearinghouse for information and that it facilitate…
Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine was first used in newborns
In 1927, Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine was first used in newborns, having been developed by Albert Calmette and…
The Pan American Sanitary Bureau was established as the first of a series of international health organizations
In 1902, the Pan American Sanitary Bureau was established as the first of a series of international health…