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Archives of Virology
Published in: Archives of Virology 5/2013

01-05-2013 | Virology Division News

Virus species polemics: 14 senior virologists oppose a proposed change to the ICTV definition of virus species

Authors: Marc H. V. Van Regenmortel, Hans-Wolfgang Ackermann, Charles H. Calisher, Ralf G. Dietzgen, Marian C. Horzinek, Gunther M. Keil, Brian W. J. Mahy, Giovanni P. Martelli, Frederick A. Murphy, Craig Pringle, Bert K. Rima, Tim Skern, H.-J. Vetten, Scott C. Weaver

Published in: Archives of Virology | Issue 5/2013

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Abstract

The Executive Committee of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) has recently decided to modify the current definition of virus species (Code of Virus Classification and Nomenclature Rule 3.21) and will soon ask the full ICTV membership (189 voting members) to ratify the proposed controversial change. In this discussion paper, 14 senior virologists, including six Life members of the ICTV, compare the present and proposed new definition and recommend that the existing definition of virus species should be retained. Since the pros and cons of the proposal posted on the ICTV website are not widely consulted, the arguments are summarized here in order to reach a wider audience.
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Metadata
Title
Virus species polemics: 14 senior virologists oppose a proposed change to the ICTV definition of virus species
Authors
Marc H. V. Van Regenmortel
Hans-Wolfgang Ackermann
Charles H. Calisher
Ralf G. Dietzgen
Marian C. Horzinek
Gunther M. Keil
Brian W. J. Mahy
Giovanni P. Martelli
Frederick A. Murphy
Craig Pringle
Bert K. Rima
Tim Skern
H.-J. Vetten
Scott C. Weaver
Publication date
01-05-2013
Publisher
Springer Vienna
Published in
Archives of Virology / Issue 5/2013
Print ISSN: 0304-8608
Electronic ISSN: 1432-8798
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-012-1583-5

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