Searching
through the articles on Society for Science, I found an article on Ebola. Ebola is a fatal infection that is passed
through fluids which are shared by two different people; one of which is
already infected. The article, written by Nathan Seppa, discusses the problems
with Ebola and how some scientists and doctors claim to have found the cure to
this disease.
In
December 2013, the first known outbreak of Ebola occurred in West Africa. After
nine months, by August 22, reports Seppa, 2,473 people have been infected, and
1,350 have died. The article states that this is "far and away the biggest
epidemic ever of this horrific, hemorrhage-causing disease." However, some
therapies may be near. These treatments have been tested on animals, but almost
never on humans, making this still an experimental drug.
In spite
of the treatment still being experimental, many scientists insist on it being
used as soon as possible, because it is a risk that should be taken. Thus, some
care centers have already been opened in parts of West Africa, more
specifically, on the borders of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia (see fig1).
These are the areas where there have been the most confirmations of the
disease.
One of
these experimental drugs is called ZMapp. It is a mix of antibodies made by
Mapp Pharmaceutical, in San Diego, California. Doctors have only tested this
drug on six people in Africa, and the supply has already run out. Other than
these six humans, the drugs had only been tested on monkeys and other animals.
Another drug that is being tested is called "RNA interference." This
one would stop the virus from reproducing in the body.
The
vaccines that have been thought of, on the other hand, are meant to "rev
up" the body's infection fighting immune system so it can later recognize
and fight a particular infection. The WHO (World Health Organization) Assistant
Director-General, Mary-Paul Kieny, said that the tests could begin late this
month.
I
personally think this article is very important to show society about the
problems in the world. It shows how scientists from all around the world are
trying to work together to make the world a better and safer place. This
article relates to science because it conveys the message that with science,
people can find the cure to everything. Science is the future, and, as shown in
this situation relating to an infection as vital as Ebola, science can bring
theories and treatments closer and closer to reality.
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Figure 1: A sign in French landmarks one of the only Ebola
treatment centers in the area.
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This covers an interesting and very well known topic. You had great writing that gets right to the point and also I liked that you put your own opinions in your article. Good job.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jiwoo!
DeleteI enjoyed your post Leo since you kept it short and to the point, this is a very large subject since it is one of the most feared diseases of today and people are dying every day while others are trying to prevent it, and cure the diseased. This has given me more knowledge about Ebola and i hope that they develop a cure soon, since too many innocent lives are lost every day. Anyways, Congrats!
ReplyDeleteLeo, can you fix the photo so it can be seen.
ReplyDeleteI think it is good that you put hyperlink in your article to the site where you found it. Very nice for explaining what Ebola is and then getting to the article, I like it. You nicely explained how the disease got to the point here it is now. It is fascinating how scientists nowadays can found cures faster than ever before. You nicely explained what the cure might be, what is it, and how it can save people. I like that you gave your own opinion. And I like that your blog is short, but effective, also nice use of vocabulary.
ReplyDelete