Science has played a significant role in the fight against smallpox. Sometimes it’s been subtle, like studying old people or fighting it on the front lines of wars. Other times, it’s been more overt, like inventing vaccines and producing cures for smallpox. As different as these examples may seem, they all illustrate the importance of keeping science relevant and modern in our daily lives. Have you ever heard someone say “science can’t be wrong”? There’s an unspoken belief that if something isn’t proven here, it doesn’t exist there. Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly testing new ideas to see what works and what doesn’t. It is easy to get caught up in the cycle of testing new ideas and concluding that nothing exists yet — but this mentality does a great disservice to science itself. Smallpox has been around for over 1,000 years and is practiced today thousands of years after its development by humans in our own world. If you are serious about fighting smallpox — and you should be — you need to understand how science can help prevent and cure smallpox as well as expand your understanding of how the human body protects itself against the virus.
Why Is Science Important?
When it comes to science, there are a few things that stand out above all else: accuracy, Bayesianism, and neutrality. These three concepts are the basis for science being objective and unbiased, and they are what distinguish it from the other common forms of knowledge.
Utilization of mathematics and physics is limited because it requires the skills of self-reflection, self-compassion, and a healthy amount of doubt. It is necessary to use mathematics and physics as a guideline because they are modern tools that have been developed over thousands of years. They are not our only methods of knowledge and there is much room for improvement.
Smallpox Research
In the late 19th century, scientists deciphered the mechanism of smallpox and discovered that the virus was released by certain bacteria. They described the variable temperature conditions needed for the infection and tried to genetically engineer smallpox strains to be more diverse. They obtained genetic material from mice and monkeys and then inoculated them with a vaccine made of the material.
The results were encouraging. The mice that received the vaccine developed resistance to smallpox within days, while the resistant ones died off within a week. These results challenged the conventional wisdom that smallpox exists only in Asia and Africa, and that the only way to keep smallpox away is by challenge challenge.
VACCINE Development
The development of smallpox vaccines worldwide followed a similar path as that of the discovery of the mechanism of smallpox. In 1906, scientists at the University of Chicago reported positive identification of the Harrison’s Whiteovies, which is the original source for the smallpox vaccine. The discovery of smallpox was followed by a search for other, more virulent strains of the virus that might offer a more potent vaccine.
The search for more effective smallpox vaccines was underway when World War II interrupted the development of other vaccines. By the time the war was over, it had been determined that pneumococcus was the major cause of smallpox infection. The availability of pneumococcus in the United States and other European countries helped lead to the development of smallpox vaccines in those regions.
Bioterrorism and Smallpox
Besides protecting against smallpox, Bioterrorism is another example of what happens when scientists don’t take precautions against possible consequences. In the early 2000’s, a group of researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo found that they and nearby farmers may have inoculated their crops with a plant pathogen that causes botulism and caused the plant pathogen Erysipelothrix myasanctum to grow on the crops. The researchers did not consider the potential impact of their research on human health or the environment, so they did not report the incidence of smallpox on their crops.
The Benefits of Vaccines
The benefits of vaccination range from protecting your child against smallpox to encouraging herd immunity. While there are benefits in all three areas, it is the latter two areas that make vaccines the most important piece of public health.
Standardization of Vaccine Standards: With the advent of the Common Core of Schools of Social Studies, and the development of Common Core math and science exams, scientists have been working towards standardized test scores and certification for about a decade. Now, with the approval of the vaccines, this is being accomplished.
Increased Awareness and Confidence inva … nd: The benefits of vaccination are endless. Awareness of vaccination is key to better health and an improved environment. With the approval of the vaccines, people are more likely to see the benefits of vaccination. This is particularly important for children, who are more at risk of contracting the diseases that cause vaccination.
Increased Protection from Genes: Even on the rare occasions when the family member carrying the trait is sick, the protection against disease is much higher than if the trait were inherited by an recessive form. On top of that, the protection against degenerative diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s is much higher than that of an X-linked gene with a recessive twin.
Disadvantages of Vaccines
Vaccine-induced immunity is not a one-time event. It is a cyclical response to a known event. To take advantage of the benefits of vaccination, you must practice this same strategy each and every time you get your medication. Avoid missing any course, or else you may not be able to get it next time. And remember, if you miss a course, you won’t be able to get it again.
Loading the Threshold for Smallpox: You have to be in mild to moderate Western medical practice or in a Third World country with no health care system that can take you to the treatment for smallpox. And you have to be able to show up for appointments with the local doctor as little as two days before your scheduled time.
VACCINE DISABILITIES
Vaccine-induced cognitive impairment is another common side effect of vaccination. Although scientists do not fully understand the neurologic mechanisms behind these symptoms, they do know that they are caused by a virus and are not the result of a positive test.
Marketing of vaccines: Most vaccine companies know this, but they are trying to pitch you on the benefits of vaccination, but they are not showing it to their customers. This kind of pitch is not marketing, it is salesmanship.
Disadvantages of vaccines
Even though vaccination has been around for a long time, and is still used as a preventive measure, many people still do not know that they can get in touch with the benefits of vaccination and get their questions answered. This can be a little tricky, because the vast majority of people are not aware that they can get their questions answered online.
Conclusion
Even though smallpox has been around for a long time, and has been practiced by people for millennia, the knowledge and methods of vaccination are largely unknown. The history of vaccination highlights the importance of giving your best shot, and of testing your knowledge, against the world’s best, so that you may receive the benefits of vaccination.