Before the vaccine was introduced in 1978, meningococcal B, a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitides, was prevalent throughout the world, with a high mortality rate (around 50% if completely untreated). It often lead to further complications like septicaemia (blood poisoning), organ failure and death. Survivors lost limbs, eyesight and hearing, with reports of many experiencing seizures daily and mental retardation.
The vaccine, administered via injection, contains the parts of Neisseria meningitides (which cannot cause infection but which encourages the body to fight the bacteria through building up antibodies (substances the body produces to fight disease). The antibodies combat the antigens (a toxin which induces …show more content…
However, it was not until 1805 when in Vieusseux, Switzerland, the first definitive description of the disease was written by an anonymous source. Aton Weichselbaum was the first pathologist to successfully isolate the bacterium Neisseria meningitides within the spinal fluid of patients in 1887. By 1906, researchers noted that horses could potentially be used to create antibodies to fight the bacteria. This was expanded upon by American scientist Simon Flexner. In April 2nd 1974, an American pharmaceutical company, Merck&Co., licensed the first meningococcal vaccine, but it has since been discontinued in favour of conjugate vaccines (vaccines preventing multiple strains of the bacteria). After harnessing the live bacteria, Merck&Co. extracted the necessary cell components, adding preservatives to create the first licensed meningococcal vaccine. Fierce competition amongst pharmaceutical companies has meant information regarding the research team and exact processes of discovery of this vaccine remain undisclosed to the …show more content…
Current environmental degradation issues cause volatility of many natural habitats and ecosystems. Widespread consumption of resources can jeopardise these habitats. Secondly, a lack of science funding has negative financial impacts. If a resource is non-essential, funding research and or exploration is not economically viable. However, economic benefits can also follow resource extraction, providing employment and prosperity especially in rural regions. From the financial perspective, available resource options require careful consideration and comparison before making decisions. Thirdly, moral implications of using a resource exist where irresponsible or unethical resource extraction can cause social controversy with potential political backlash. Unless viable alternatives are found, the resource use is
The vaccine, administered via injection, contains the parts of Neisseria meningitides (which cannot cause infection but which encourages the body to fight the bacteria through building up antibodies (substances the body produces to fight disease). The antibodies combat the antigens (a toxin which induces …show more content…
However, it was not until 1805 when in Vieusseux, Switzerland, the first definitive description of the disease was written by an anonymous source. Aton Weichselbaum was the first pathologist to successfully isolate the bacterium Neisseria meningitides within the spinal fluid of patients in 1887. By 1906, researchers noted that horses could potentially be used to create antibodies to fight the bacteria. This was expanded upon by American scientist Simon Flexner. In April 2nd 1974, an American pharmaceutical company, Merck&Co., licensed the first meningococcal vaccine, but it has since been discontinued in favour of conjugate vaccines (vaccines preventing multiple strains of the bacteria). After harnessing the live bacteria, Merck&Co. extracted the necessary cell components, adding preservatives to create the first licensed meningococcal vaccine. Fierce competition amongst pharmaceutical companies has meant information regarding the research team and exact processes of discovery of this vaccine remain undisclosed to the …show more content…
Current environmental degradation issues cause volatility of many natural habitats and ecosystems. Widespread consumption of resources can jeopardise these habitats. Secondly, a lack of science funding has negative financial impacts. If a resource is non-essential, funding research and or exploration is not economically viable. However, economic benefits can also follow resource extraction, providing employment and prosperity especially in rural regions. From the financial perspective, available resource options require careful consideration and comparison before making decisions. Thirdly, moral implications of using a resource exist where irresponsible or unethical resource extraction can cause social controversy with potential political backlash. Unless viable alternatives are found, the resource use is