Hatrack River Forum: A vaccine for Ebola?

This is topic A vaccine for Ebola? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :

It seems that human safety tests for a new Ebola vaccine have begun. Unfortunately, they're short on volunteers, which isn't terribly surprising. The vaccine itself is a novel way of engaging the immune system: instead of virus particles (which would be unacceptably risky for a vaccine, I suppose), the vaccine contains synthetic DNA, a copy of the virus's genetic code with the bits that allow infection removed.

quote:
The irony, scientists and doctors lament, is that this first Ebola vaccine is probably the safest and most sophisticated vaccine ever made, without a single component coming from the virus itself.

Indeed, the product spray-blasted into Rucker's arm (no needle necessary) is by any standard a marvel of biotechnological engineering. It was designed to rally the immune system even more than a real Ebola infection would, without causing any symptoms of the disease itself.

"It's remarkably sophisticated technology," said Gary Nabel, the virologist who is leading the Ebola effort in a fast-track program that has catapulted his basic research from the lab bench to the clinic in just three years.

Volunteer Gets Experimental Ebola Vaccine

Sounds like a neat way of making a vaccine. Hopefully this will be the first step in stopping a really nasty virus.

[ November 19, 2003, 09:42 PM: Message edited by: Shigosei ]

Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :

I'd volunteer, except I'm not near enough. Plus, I think I'm missing one of their requirements (its quite a lengthy list).

Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :

Is anyone else ridiculously reminded of Xenocide....?

Posted by Zotto! (Member # 4689) on :

Yes. [Smile]

Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :

fugu, where did you see the requirements list? I am curious to see if I meet the requirements.

Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :

More info (including eligibility requirements) for the Ebola vaccine.

Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :

I'd be willing to do it, but I know I wouldn't qualify at the moment given my health history this year.

I would like to know if I get paid however. It never mentioned that and that is pretty standard for most of these types of things.

AJ

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

Interestingly enough, I think I would qualify. Too bad it's on the other side of the country. [Dont Know]

Posted by skrika03 (Member # 5930) on :

(pooka in exile)
I almost had it in the bag, except I was psych [Frown]

otic in 1992.

Hmm. That wasn't intentional, but this kid won't quit pulling my finger.

When the Human Genome project came out, I thought the said the debate over physical race was over. That's interesting that the blood composition is so different.