Jonas Salk

I feel that Jonas Salk was one of my greatest heroes because he saved many people from the disease called polio by developing the first vaccine to prevent it, he brought scientists together by building the Salk institute for Biological Studies and he traveled the world speaking to world leaders about the importance of peace.

In the 1940’s and 1950’s, there was a terrible disease that frightened parents more than anything else ever could. The disease was called Polio. This disease was caused by a virus that made children very ill. When they were over it, they still weren’t well because it would leave them disabled or paralyzed. At the time, everyone was afraid their children would catch Polio and they wanted scientists to do something to help.

Jonas Salk was the man who did it. He was born in New York City on October 28, 1914. After studying medicine, he decided to specialize in Microbiology, the study of microscopic life. Because the world was waiting for a Polio vaccine, Jonas Salk decided to go to work trying to find a vaccine to prevent the spread of the disease. He took samples of the virus, killed them and gave them to people as shots. This allowed our bodies to create sickness fighters called antibodies. When Jonas Salk injected the dead virus into people, their bodies built up antibodies especially for the polio germ. Then, when those people caught the live virus from someone, they did not get sick. This was an amazing discovery and a dream come true for parents and children all over the world. in 1953, he introduced his vaccine to the world and one of the most dangerous diseases of history is now almost completely extinct.

Dr. Salk planned and dedicated an institute for biological study. This brought together scientists from many fields of research who shared a common interest in science. Today, the famous Salk Institute for Biological Studies is a beacon of hope for millions. Jonas Salk also dedicated his life to finding the cure for war. His scientific accomplishments, great as they are, were a secondary factor in Dr. Salk’s life. He devoted much of his energy to traveling all over the world to conferences and speaking to world leaders about peace.

Jonas Salk was recognized for his contribution to world peace. He received dozens of awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Nehru Award for International Understanding. In conclusion, Jonas Salk was a real hero because he developed the first vaccine to prevent Polio, he built the Salk Institute for Biological Studies to bring together scientists and scholars and he spoke to world leaders about the importance of peace.