With the emergence of this huge Ebola outbreak, there are researchers across the world looking for a cure to this disease. One experimental drug, called ZMapp, was tested on multiple subjects and it is thought to work. When two American missionary workers fell ill to the Ebola virus they were offered to take this experimental drug and with no fail, it saved their lives. According to Wilson, Christensen and Dellorto's article, within an hour, his symptoms "dramatically improved." (Wilson, Christensen, and Dellorto, para. 1-2) This shows that the experimental drug is definitely the best hope out there. Although, this is not a vaccine for the disease, it could definitely help many people who are suffering through it. In a way Ebola is like cancer. Cancer has many different strains which affect different parts of the body. For example, some strains cause breast cancer and others let's say brain cancer. In the same way, Ebola has different strains of the virus and some are worse than others. Even if there were a cure to the drug, it would not fully cover all the strains of the virus.
Included in their article about the experimental drug are many questions posing where it comes from, if it actually works and if there is going to be production of the drug. In the article, the authors state that the drug was founded by the biotech firm Mapp Biopharmaceutical Inc. in San Diego, who work to "[focus] on unmet needs in global health and biodefence." They have been working on this treatment for multiple years in order to protect our people against "weapons of mass destruction." (Wilson, Christensen, and Dellorto, para. 4) This seems over the top, but I believe that it is possible this virus could spread worldwide. It would not be so hard to export tons of infected food worldwide. Especially in our global market, we import and export food all the time. If it were to happen, it would be a matter of weeks before thousands more would be infected. So, how do we know that this experimental drug actually works.
At first, when the drug was used on the two missionaries, the doctors had no clue if it would work. Before, the drug had been tested on eight monkeys, but the immune system can react differently in primates such as monkeys. In any case, a human test would need to be done to see if it actually worked. In the end it proved to work on the two missionaries, so it will be used on more people for further testing. (Wilson, Christensen, and Dellorto, para. 16-17) It is really risky that we cannot figure out whether or not the drug actually works on people until it is actually tested. They could have extreme allergic reactions or it could go just fine, which is the case with this drug, but how does it actually work?
The drug uses antibodies to help the immune system "mark and destroy foreign, or harmful, cells." (Wilson, Christensen, and Dellorto, para. 10) Previously, the antibodies were collected from mice who were given trace amounts of the virus. According the the article, now the drug can be produced with the proteins made from tobacco plants. They are now working on places in the United States where this drug can be manufactured in mass. (Wilson, Christensen, and Dellorto, para. 12) This is great to hear that there is an alternative way to manufacture the drug that does not involve harming animals. Also, since tobacco is a plant, it will be able to grow much faster than mice and could produce the antibodies in huge quantities. It is stated in the article that the manufacture of this experimental drug is a company called Kentucky BioProcessing. (Wilson, Christensen, and Dellorto, para. 12) We are creating the drugs in the United States, but will these drugs be kept for use in the country or will it be sent out to places in need such as West Africa. Hopefully, the drug will be sent out overseas to these countries to help fight off the disease.
Included in their article about the experimental drug are many questions posing where it comes from, if it actually works and if there is going to be production of the drug. In the article, the authors state that the drug was founded by the biotech firm Mapp Biopharmaceutical Inc. in San Diego, who work to "[focus] on unmet needs in global health and biodefence." They have been working on this treatment for multiple years in order to protect our people against "weapons of mass destruction." (Wilson, Christensen, and Dellorto, para. 4) This seems over the top, but I believe that it is possible this virus could spread worldwide. It would not be so hard to export tons of infected food worldwide. Especially in our global market, we import and export food all the time. If it were to happen, it would be a matter of weeks before thousands more would be infected. So, how do we know that this experimental drug actually works.
At first, when the drug was used on the two missionaries, the doctors had no clue if it would work. Before, the drug had been tested on eight monkeys, but the immune system can react differently in primates such as monkeys. In any case, a human test would need to be done to see if it actually worked. In the end it proved to work on the two missionaries, so it will be used on more people for further testing. (Wilson, Christensen, and Dellorto, para. 16-17) It is really risky that we cannot figure out whether or not the drug actually works on people until it is actually tested. They could have extreme allergic reactions or it could go just fine, which is the case with this drug, but how does it actually work?
The drug uses antibodies to help the immune system "mark and destroy foreign, or harmful, cells." (Wilson, Christensen, and Dellorto, para. 10) Previously, the antibodies were collected from mice who were given trace amounts of the virus. According the the article, now the drug can be produced with the proteins made from tobacco plants. They are now working on places in the United States where this drug can be manufactured in mass. (Wilson, Christensen, and Dellorto, para. 12) This is great to hear that there is an alternative way to manufacture the drug that does not involve harming animals. Also, since tobacco is a plant, it will be able to grow much faster than mice and could produce the antibodies in huge quantities. It is stated in the article that the manufacture of this experimental drug is a company called Kentucky BioProcessing. (Wilson, Christensen, and Dellorto, para. 12) We are creating the drugs in the United States, but will these drugs be kept for use in the country or will it be sent out to places in need such as West Africa. Hopefully, the drug will be sent out overseas to these countries to help fight off the disease.
This article is very much like my one about blood transfusions. Both are about the treatment of Ebola patients. I would have to say that the ZMapp drug would be more effective. Both use antibodies to help the body fight off the disease, but blood transfusion is more risky. There is more room for infection and the spread of disease when dealing with blood. What I found interesting about the ZMapp drug, is that it can be synthesized using the proteins of tobacco plants, so there would be no risk of spreading disease or infection if it actually works. As far as we know, it seems to work, but there needs to be more testing done. One thing that we do not have to worry about is having a shortage of the drug because it can easily be synthesized through the use of tobacco plants. This is so much better than blood transfusions, which has a possibility of spreading other diseases and we are skeptical that it works. On top of all that, people who donate need to have survived the Ebola virus and need to match the blood type of the recipient. Using tobacco plants to produce these antibodies, we do not have to worry about any of this.
Working for CNN, all three authors are experienced writers and producers for the CNN's health section. They all share similar interests in health and medical technology. Having these interest, we can say they are 'familiar' with the subject, but this does not necessarily mean they are credible. They are only writers and can we really trust what they say. Well, I have checked with other online sources and the information seems to match, but be careful out there. Some writings may be biased and hold incorrect information.
Working for CNN, all three authors are experienced writers and producers for the CNN's health section. They all share similar interests in health and medical technology. Having these interest, we can say they are 'familiar' with the subject, but this does not necessarily mean they are credible. They are only writers and can we really trust what they say. Well, I have checked with other online sources and the information seems to match, but be careful out there. Some writings may be biased and hold incorrect information.
Wilson, Jacque, Jen Christensen, and Danielle Dellorto. "9 Questions about This New Ebola Drug." CNN. Cable News Network, 05 Aug. 2014. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.