Fleming's Discovery Of Penicillin example essay topic

Who in your opinion was the most important individual in the 20th Century? Throughout the 20th Century there have been a number of significant personalities who with their attributes have changed the course of history for the benefit or destruction of humankind. Prominent individuals have significantly contributed to society through many fields, ranging from science and technology to politics and human rights. Alexander Fleming was one of the most important scientists in the medical world whose actions changed the course of history through his scientific breakthrough. Through years of sacrificial work, Fleming discovered Penicillin - the first antibiotic in medical history that has saved millions of lives worldwide. Alexander Fleming's extraordinary medical voyage commenced in 1901, when his uncle died leaving him an inheritance of lb 250.

This inheritance enabled him to receive medical education and training at St Mary's hospital. Great interest had not led him to the medical field but rather his brother's persuasion to become a doctor as well as an opportunity to leave his tedious job. ".. he had no burning enthusiasm for medicine but it offered an escape... ". 1. In 1906, after graduating from St Mary's hospital he was greatly influenced by John Freeman to continue and work as an bacteriological research assistant.

Initially, Fleming intended to succeed as a surgeon qualifying in 1909, however he was extremely committed to research and therefore pursued a career in bacteriology. The experience of WWI compelled Fleming's continued dedication and pursuit of a miracle drug that would prove essential, in the combat of infectious diseases. He served in France as a Captain in the Army Medical Corps, primarily treating wounded soldiers. Fleming's battlefront experience had proven to him that simple infections were deadly, and soon he realised that there had to be an antibacterial substance that would kill harmful bacteria without harming human tissues. The War had altered his purpose in the bacteriological field, and when he returned to St Mary's hospital he devoted himself in finding an agent to kill the bacteria responsible for infecting wounds.

In 1922, through extensive research, he discovered lysozyme, a natural substance found in tears and mucus that unlike antiseptics could fight some bacteria without harming human cells. This remarkable discovery received a cold reception as it proved to insubstantial in killing harmful diseases, however Fleming was certain that lysozyme would benefit mankind. "We shall hear more about lysozyme one day", 2 indeed he proved to be correct as countless scientific papers have been written regarding the significance of lysozyme. Due to this useful discovery, lysozyme has been used in many beneficial ways. The Russians use it for preserving caviar, doctors add it to cow - milk to reproduce the component structure of milk and it is used to treat some intestinal infections as well as some eye infections. With the lysozyme discovery, came Fleming's realisation that he could find a substance with the strength to kill bacteria but not adversely affect the human body.

Thus he embarked on a journey that would eventually lead to a scientific breakthrough. "I can only suppose that God wanted penicillin, and that this was his reason for creating Alexander Fleming"3, in 1928, his most significant discovery occurred, subsequently altering the course of history forever. Returning from a two week holiday to his laboratories he accidentally discovered the first antibiotic in the medical world", One sometimes finds what one is not looking for"4, Fleming stated regarding his chance discovery. The fulfilment of his goal, was a result of his persistent efforts and his apparent disorderly habit of not discarding culture plates promptly. On a culture plate of staphylococci a mould (penicillin no tatum) introduced by accidental contamination had dissolved the colonies of staphylococci, an example of antibiosis. He found that the broth containing the bacterial substance (penicillin) produced by the mould was unstable and lost it's activity.

He concluded that penicillin was non toxic to humans and was sufficient in treating many harmful bacteria. The discovery of penicillin was one of the most crucial events in the history of medicine, but it took a while before people could comprehend how effective it was in curing diseases. In June 1929, Fleming published the first ever report on antibiotics and the benefits of the wonder drug in the British journal for Experimental pathology. These publications were distributed to several editors including pathologist Howard Florey. During that time Fleming's accounts failed to rouse other scientists, however is now regarded as one of the most important medical papers written as it marked the beginning for a medical revolution, "the starting point for a clinical revolution that has affected the lives of almost every human on earth'5. Fleming proved to be a significant figure in the medical world as his discovery would not only save millions of lives but also lead the way for the widespread, globally accepted practice of antibiotic therapy for infectious diseases.

Despite receiving little medical attention, Fleming continued to work with penicillin for some time but lacked the chemical expertise to purify penicillin and develop penicillin into a drug. His work was taken over by a team of chemists and mould specialists, yet they achieved little as several of them died or relocated. "We owe a lot to Florey, Chain and their co-workers. They did not initiate penicillin but they put it on the map as an effective drug 6" Fleming generously stated.

Fleming's sacrificial efforts had become the gateway that eventually led Australian, professor of pathology Howard Florey and German Chemist Ernst Chain to the development of penicillin. Impressed and enthused by Fleming's articles describing the effects of penicillin Florey, Chain and their colleagues set out to work on developing penicillin into a usable drug, "I had come across this paper early in 1938 and on reading it I immediately became interested", 7 Ernst Chain wrote. By 1940, through enhanced chemical techniques the Oxford University Team (Florey, Chain and co-workers) successfully purified and refined penicillin into a wonder drug. Armed with increasing evidence of the remarkable powers of penicillin the Oxford team were unable to engage British drug companies, so American pharmaceutical companies took over and mass produced the world's first antibiotic drug. Due to Fleming's connections in the British government, a penicillin committee was established to push British drug companies in mass producing penicillin thus introducing the miracle drug to Britain. By D-Day adequate penicillin was available to treat Allied soldiers in need of it.

The importance of penicillin was fully recognised as it prevented thousands of deaths during the Second World War. Along with the other antibiotics, it revolutionise d healthcare, dramatically reduced mortality rates and significantly contributed to the modern pharmaceutical industry. Fleming's unearthing altered the course of history as deaths once caused by bacterial infections plummeted. Penicillin had positive effects on society through the technological world, the economy and environment. Penicillin possibly helped technology, as great minds lived longer and healthier, therefore were able to create and invent valuable innovations. The economy rapidly grew due to less deaths and population increase, therefore people employed in industries lived longer hence worked longer.

"My only merit is that I did not neglect the observation and that I pursued the subject as a bacteriologist". 8 Fleming was honoured for singular contribution that changed the practise of medicine. These awards and accolades came to Fleming in sudden succession, including a knighthood along Florey in 1944 and in 1945 with Florey and Chain the Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology. Medical centres, research institutes, including a moon crater were named in honour of the beloved 'father' of penicillin, proving his importance to medical science. Sir Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin signified the dawn of modern medicine and presented true hope in the battle against infections. Millions of people worldwide owe their lives to Fleming's discovery.

He has proved to be one of the most important scientific figures in modern history, as he pioneered the universally accepted practise of antibiotic therapy for infectious diseases. Fleming has profoundly secured his place among the elite group of individuals whose contributions have greatly altered the course of 20th Century history. web.