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Edward Jenner (1749-1823) was an English physician who discovered the vaccine for smallpox cure. He is the man who laid the foundation for immunology (science that studies the immune system).

Smallpox is a cause of death in the century -18. Jenner observed that among his patients, previously exposed to mild smallpox from cattle, have better immunity. In 1796 he presented a mild smallpox virus to a child. When the child was exposed to the smallpox virus that attacks humans, the child is not infected. He published his findings and became famous as the inventor of vaccination. He also introduced the term virus.

Vaccines

Through biotechnology lighting, various diseases caused by viruses have been avoided by the use of vaccines. The vaccine works effectively against diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms, including viruses.

The basic principle of the use of the vaccine is the body produces antibodies to fight the virus attack. The vaccine is a suspension of microorganisms antigen (eg viral or bacterial pathogen) that a surface or toxins killed or weakened. Vaccine (vaccination) causes the body to react to form antibodies, thus resistant to pathogen infection later in life.

Making Vaccines

At first, the conventional vaccine is made. History records the discoveries of vaccines prevent disease pandemic. In 1796, Edward Jenner discovered the vaccine for chicken pox.

In 1885, Louis Pasteur discovered a vaccine for Rabies. Then followed the inventor of vaccines for other diseases.

Several types of vaccines are made by conventional methods are as follows :

1. Vaccines derived from pathogens that have been turned off by chemicals or by heating. For example, influenza vaccine, cholera and hepatitis A. This type of vaccine immune responses while only form.

2. Vaccine derived from an attenuated pathogen. for example, measles and mumps vaccines. Type of vaccine immune response raises a longer time.

3. Vaccines from pathogenic microorganisms compounds made ​​inactive. For example, the tetanus and diphtheria vaccines.

However, the conventional vaccine production is caused various adverse side effects, such as the following.

1. Pathogens that are used to make the vaccine may still perform metabolic processes (in micro-organisms such as bacteria)

2. Pathogens, which are used to make the vaccine may still have the ability to cause disease.

3. There are some people who are allergic to residual cells left over from the production of the vaccine, even though it made ​​the process of purification.

4. The people who work in the manufacture of the vaccine may come in contact with the pathogen, although prevented by safety (masks and gloves).

To reduce this risk, it is now making vaccines developed using genetic engineering. The principles of genetic engineering in vaccine manufacture is as follows.

1. Isolate (separate) genes cause illness from viruses / pathogens.

2. Insert those genes into a bacterial cell or animal cell cultures. Bacterial cells or animal cells that have been inserted gene is called a recombinant.

3. Will produce recombinant antigens. Furthermore, recombinant be cultured, in order to obtain large amounts of antigen.

4. Antigen was extracted for use as a vaccine.

Examples of vaccines that have been made ​​in this way is a vaccine for poliomyelitis disease, Godong, chicken pox, rubella, and rabies.