Rarely a day goes by that I don't see a raft of new reports related to the avian flu virus and new drug development. Today the U.S. is increasing its stockpile of experimental vaccines. As the bird flu virus steadily spreads, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and elsewhere have been working away in the lab looking for some effective means to protect the world's population. Drug developers have been working too, trying to test new therapies for treating the disease.
What's lacking here, though, is a much more effective effort by the U.S. government to bankroll research that will not only offer new ways to fight the flu virus, but radical new methods for vaccine development. We're at a stage where we can spot a pandemic before it breaks out, but with current vaccine manufacturing methods, millions may well die before new therapies can be made available. Despite its talk, the Bush administration has not set aside the funds necessary to spur this transformation. The right effort now will make a big difference for the entire world, whether this particular pandemic hits or not. This is one call to action that would enjoy support from around the globe. - John Carroll