NOVA Season 3 Episode 17 Death of a Disease

NOVA season 3 episode 17, titled "Death of a Disease," explores the story of a medical breakthrough in the field of immunology. The episode follows the work of two researchers, Dr. Jonas Salk and Dr. Albert Sabin, who developed two different vaccines against the crippling and deadly polio virus.

Through interviews with the scientists, their colleagues, and patients who have suffered from polio, the episode delves into the history of the disease and the challenges faced by the researchers in their efforts to find a cure. Viewers are taken on a journey through the trials and errors of early vaccine development, the dramatic race between Salk and Sabin to produce a successful vaccine, and the groundbreaking results that eventually led to the eradication of the polio virus in many parts of the world.

The episode begins with a historical overview of the polio disease, which at its height of prevalence in the 1940s and 50s, caused widespread panic in communities as it paralyzed and killed tens of thousands of people, mostly children. Viewers are shown archival footage of hospitals filled with iron lungs, the grim-looking devices that helped patients breathe after polio had damaged their muscles and left them unable to do so on their own. This segment helps to set the stage for the scientific advancements that would soon change the course of the disease.

The first half of the episode focuses on Dr. Jonas Salk and his team at the University of Pittsburgh, who began working on a vaccine in the early 1950s. Through a series of experiments using live and dead strains of the virus, Salk was eventually able to produce a vaccine that showed promising results in early trials. His success was a culmination of years of hard work, funded in part by the March of Dimes campaign, which raised millions of dollars to support polio research.

The second half of the episode shifts its focus to Dr. Albert Sabin, a microbiologist at the University of Cincinnati, who was developing a different type of vaccine using weakened strains of the virus. Sabin's approach was more experimental and controversial, but it ultimately led to a breakthrough that would prove vital in the global fight against polio.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to never-before-seen footage and photographs of the researchers at work, as well as emotional interviews with patients who suffered from the disease and the families who supported them. The show also provides a glimpse into the cultural and political climate of the time, and how the race to find a cure for polio became a symbol of American innovation and progress.

Overall, "Death of a Disease" is a poignant and informative episode of NOVA that sheds light on the incredible scientific advancements that led to the eradication of one of the most devastating diseases in human history. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of scientific discovery, and a touching tribute to the researchers whose tireless efforts ultimately saved countless lives.