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General Discussion & Feedback => Radio Show & Podcast Feedback => Topic started by: thedoc on 11/10/2016 21:29:58

Title: Why isn't there a vaccine for Ebola?
Post by: thedoc on 11/10/2016 21:29:58

This week the scientific Nobel prizes have been awarded, just as the Ebola death toll passes 7000.

Read the article (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/articles/article/why-we-ignored-ebola/) then tell us what you think...

Title: None
Post by: TomQA on 14/10/2014 04:53:43

Good article Chris. However, will the rich West really come to the aid of poor African countries? Short answer: No. If enough researchers could sell their national health services (i.e. CDC) that it is a good disease model, then maybe they could some funding. Meanwhile, I'm supporting Doctors without Borders.

Title: None
Post by: prkitkat on 15/10/2014 04:24:34

Very interesting point! The fact that humans get too preoccupied with other "important" tasks only foreshadows a possible downfall for our race. I wish your warning could be shared with more people and, more importantly, to the younger generations since they will be in charge of our mess when we are gone. Let's hope this Ebola virus has served as an effective wake-up call amidst our distractions.

Title: None
Post by: Malcolm Smith on 25/10/2014 04:35:43

Is Black Swan theory - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_swan_theory - perhaps relevant to this debate?

Title: Re: Why isn't there a vaccine for Ebola?
Post by: chris on 25/10/2014 11:53:24

"The black swan theory or theory of black swan events is a metaphor that describes an event that comes as a surprise, has a major effect, and is often inappropriately rationalized after the fact with the benefit of hindsight." (Wikipedia)

I don't agree, Malcolm. Emerging infections experts have been warning about this possibility for some time. It's certainly been a feature of the lectures I've been delivering at Cambridge to the medics, vets and natural sciences students for the last 7 years. The issue has been one of economically-led inactivity.