Well, isn't this interesting! The link that I provided previously for bonus points was suppose to be about the ebola virus vaccine. However, though I copied the link directly from the article, it appears to go to an article about another biology related topic. I have no clue as to how that happened. The actual URL is as follows: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/23/business/fast-track-on-drug-for-ebola-has-faltered.html?ref=science
Now, the bonus point opportunity still goes - either for the ebola article or the prior (but not both!).
Sorry for the confusion.
I read the article about the Ebola vaccine. When I finished reading it, I was left feeling disappointed with the United States pharmaceutical abilities, or lack there of. Last semester, for my public health class, I had to do a presentation on vaccines. I learned about a lot of programs that could potentially help soften the blow of a disease outbreak (UNITAID and Advanced Market Commitments are two interesting ones.) I was disappointed when I found that the US does not participate in practically any of these programs that have huge supporters such as the UK, Norway, France, and even the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation just to name a few. I think its time for the United States to step up and take control of a vaccine preparedness program. If they don't, I worry that we might not be ready or able to handle an epidemic hitting closer to home.
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful response!
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I am very disappointed with the preparedness of the US on this subject. People in Africa are dying every day, and each day the US Government is flying more Africans to America to help treat them. Yet when we have a drug which is believed to cure this deadly disease, nothing is happening. What if Ebola was to start spreading in the US? Based on the readiness of the government, a lot of people would be dead before we could even get trial drugs out. To me, this should be one of the most up to date and heavily funded branches of the government.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the other two, I am also disappointed. When the Ebola outbreak hit the US a couple months ago, people were outraged and very fearful. They were skipping flights and wearing masks to avoid possible contamination. I often wonder about what would have happened if those cases were not treated as quickly as they were, and how far spread out the outbreak would be now. I personally feel that if the outbreak wasn't treated as fast as it was, that the drug would have been administered by now. It disappoints me to believe that maybe the drugs aren't being developed as quickly as they should be because the problem is no longer so close to home..
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ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article I was disappointed in the lack of effort by the government and affiliates. However, the drug industry is a business; driven by supply and demand. The current "demand" (ebola) is under control in the US. I think that the focus of healthcare right now is preventive care. Our time, money and research is going into preventing diagnoses such as heart disease and diabetes. Think of it like this; hundreds of people smoke, by smoking they increase their chances for heart disease, lung cancer and stroke. If we could prevent those hundreds of people from smoking, think of how many lives and how much money in healthcare costs we could save? I think the article makes a very strong argument for disease control, but our time and money needs to be spent fixing our current problems rather than potential ones.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that they are using tobacco plants to help fight the Ebola virus, it makes since though since it is a fast growing plant. I hope that the successful companies are sharing their information with others to further the chance of success against Ebola. It is a disturbing yet extremely true fact that has been realized, saying that no one is prepared and no one has rapid response capabilities.
ReplyDeleteI also read the Ebola article and was initially quite shocked in the lack of progress. Though it is nice to know there are helpful drugs and vaccines available, it makes you wonder why there have yet to be any contracts awarded. I understand there are certain processes and protocols for something so important and serious, but the seriousness of the situation should only make officials want to ensure safety more quickly. I did not previously have very much knowledge on the details of the disease and what is being done to cure it, so it was cool to learn about the antibodies and all of the debate going on "behind the scenes" that you don't normally hear about. Overall, though, I think I have to agree with Dr. Yancopoulos in saying that "nobody is really prepared" and "nobody in the world has rapid response capabilities." Considering the circumstances I think we are making progress, but would like to see change as soon as possible and hope that Gentech and Regeneron are on to something!
ReplyDeleteI think one of the interesting points of this article is that most of the research one an ebola vaccine is being conducted by small under founded research facilities that are under equipped to handle large scale production of the vaccine. Also the big companies that did submit bids for the contract were denied due to cost concerns, shows that even healthcare is seen as a business instead of service for humanity. I also feel that since the virus is not a large concern in America it takes a backseat to more pressing concerns, however if the virus ever did have a large scale outbreak in America then the research on a cure would be expedited immediately and cost would not be the issue at that point.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying reading your thoughts. Great comments! Keep it coming!
ReplyDeleteThere is plenty to talk about in this article. Firstly, it shouldn't but it still amazes me how capiltalistic the US is. Medicine should not be looked at as a business but as doing what is right. I agree with Zack above that, under funded companies are used to research vaccines that are not at the top of the list for the US. Yes, headlines are focused on it but its definitely not our concern, otherwise, ZMAPP would have been tested on more than just two individuals. There is definitely more to be said about this article but all in all and article like this should not exist, is should at least be "Small Scale Ebola Vaccine Being Conducted."
ReplyDeleteI think it is very efficient how the researchers used tobacco by modifying it. It is sad to see how some companies do not want to help out in the vaccinations. Without vaccinations, some old diseases and illnesses are returning, like the measles in Disneyland.
ReplyDeleteReading this article surprised me- I wasn't aware that there was a vaccination available for Ebola. The lack of progress made to readily produce the vaccination is very disappointing. I was also surprised to know that the US developed the vaccination, although I'm sure the reason that it isn't being produced efficiently is because Ebola is no longer an issue in the United States. As Nicole mentioned, it is very upsetting that the reason that the vaccination is no longer being produced is possibly because Ebola is not our problem anymore. I hope that the drug that Regeneron executives say that they have developed proves to be successful in treating Ebola and is then produced readily wherever it is needed.
ReplyDeleteThe article "Fast Track on Drug for Ebola has Faltered" left me feeling displeased due to the lack of progress with producing the drug ZMapp when it may be extremely effective on those suffering with the virus; however, I was also not that surprised by the lack of preparedness. I feel in many cases the government leaves people feeling overwhelmed, aggravated and frustrated in situations like these because things always seem to take too long when immediate action is desired. One has to keep in mind that cost, factory availability to produce the drug, and materials (like the article stated, drugs containing antibodies are not the same as mass producing vaccines) all are factors in this specific situation. Hopefully with the government working with two leading biotechnology companies rapid progress is being made like claimed. When it comes down to it, I think we can all agree that we wish fast production of effective drugs to treat Ebola would occur soon and become available to as many suffering from the virus as possible. This should be a priority and major concern regardless of if the outbreak is in the US or another country. People are people and deserve treatment when it exists.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was reading this article the main thing that came to my mind is that Americans can be very selfish. This drug would already be mass produced if the Ebola out break was on our soil. Typically when things don't deal directly with Americans we don't push for things to be done in a timely matter. I think that it should still be prioritized. If it was America with the Ebola outbreak and France had the cure we wouldn't want them waiting around. Also I was surprised to see that the small pharmacies were the ones that were responsible for creating the Ebola antibody. It seems that the project should be given to a company that has the means to handle it.
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings regarding the delay of the vaccine. On one hand, I think the delay is somewhat required by the situation because it seemed like there has not been sufficient clinical trials to determine the effectiveness of the vaccine. Therefore, it might be better to more definitively ascertain any benefits or problems with the treatment. However, the lack of funding and resources devoted to this project is outrageous to me because the Ebola virus is easily one of the deadliest pathogens of the modern era. And with increased globalization that recently left the United States in fear of a pandemic, I feel like there should be some consensus on working towards treatment and prevention of further serious outbreaks.
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ReplyDeleteI also read the Ebola article and I agree with almost everyone else's comments and thoughts. In my opinion, it is a shame that many Americans only care about grave matters such as this epidemic when it hits close to home. We all know that our healthcare system is capitalistic, but it is still disheartening to see that drug companies are unable or unwilling to make these possibly life-saving drugs available to people in these African nations who are suffering and then dying horrific deaths.
ReplyDeleteCyril Harfouche -
ReplyDeleteI think it is sad that despite all the technology and brainpower present in the world today, a disease outbreak has been so deadly and has not been stopped because American comapnies have seen this as a capitalist opportunity to get rich or take their biotech companies to another level. There should have been more international and governmental pressure upon these companies to get these drugs produced and distributed in large quantities, and the fact that reason this is not happening is caused by financial factors is sad because of the many sources of money that could be brought in, but competition between these private businesses has prevented it from happening and costs the lives of many with every day this is delayed.
It's tragic that the vaccine hasn't been moved at the levels it should be. I'm sure if the virus was affecting the United States the drugs would've been available everywhere in hours. I remember when the disease first hit the US mainland everyone was in a panic, but as soon as the patients had been treated, it was like people suddenly stopped caring. I can understand the mentality as people tend to think more about things going on in their country than others, but still very disappointing. I read on he BBC the other day that the virus is mutating rapidly, I just hope it can be eradicated before it becomes too different to control.
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