Letter to The Economist in response to  "A survey on technology and development" in November 10-16 issue 2001
I am less certain than THE ECONOMIST that Oliver Wendell Holmes' directive - that it would be better for mankind to consign all drugs to the bottom of the sea -  is no longer valid.  While some drugs have been effective in relieving the ills of mankind, others kill over 100,000 Americans every year, the fourth leading cause of death (1), and cause unpleasant side-effects leading to hospitalization in millions more, accounting for approximately 15%  of all hospitalizations. (2)

I am also less certain than THE ECONOMIST that vaccines are a real solution to human health problems.  Smallpox and the "other foul diseases" mentioned in your "survey of technology and development" were largely on the wane before vaccines were developed, and there have been instances where vaccines appear to have caused new epidemics.  This is particularly true of smallpox vaccine which caused death rates from the disease to rise following mass immunizations in England, Brazil, Germany, Italy Japan, and elsewhere.  Improved sanitation may have been equally or more important.

In addition to  live viruses like the SV40 virus in polio vaccine, which some scientists blame for the AIDS epidemic in Africa, vaccines contain other contaminants such as thimerosal (mercury) which other scientists are blaming for the increase in autism in vaccinated children.  Unlike harmless and effective oral rehydration therapy, vaccines can contain foreign animal protein, aluminum and formaldehyde making it imprudent to promote "more comprehensive jabbing" as an unqualified solution to the world's health problems.

(1) JAMA 1998;279:1200-05, 121617
(2) JAMA 1997;277:301-6

Bina Robinson   POB 26
Swain NY 14884   
USA

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