Penicillin Discovery
According to Mary Bellis from “The History of Penicillin,” “Penicillin is one of the earliest discovered and widely used antibiotic agents, derived from the Penicillium mold” (123). Penicillin is a vital part of today’s society and is considered a major drug in modern society. This drug has risen to be an important drug because of its discovery, and the development of the antibiotic. Penicillin could not cure so many people if it was never discovered. Accidents are a major factor of how many discoveries are made, the accidents will usually then lead to further research. Jesse Lane from “Not-So Dumb Luck states”, “Necessity is not always the mother of invention; sometimes it’s happenstance that begets the most amazing discovery” (121). This quote confirms the idea that world-altering studies do not have to be on purpose. Lane states that in 1928 Alexander Fleming took a one month vacation, but when he arrived, he observed that the dishes had fungus growing on them. Lane states, “When bacteriologist Alexander Fleming left for vacation in September of
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1928… when he came back, he noticed that every dish he had left out in the open was covered in mold” (121). This citation exemplifies the idea that although Alexander Fleming did not purposefully want to grow mold, he obtained knowledge about Penicillium mold. The discovery of penicillin is vital because it led to the development of the mass-produced antibiotic The need for a drug which would help kill bacteria paved the way for scientists to apply more research to the Penicillium mold.
Dr. Fleming believed that penicillin could have medical value if people learned how to use it. Bellis says, “…Dr. Fleming in 1929 published the results of his investigations, noting that his discovery might have therapeutic value if it was produced in quantity” (123). This quote restates the idea that Dr. Fleming, the founder of penicillin, believes that the drug could possibly have medicinal value. Penicillin was believed to be able to stop infectious diseases from entering open wounds, and stopping bacteria from causing harm to the human body. According to Bellis, “Part of the reason for increased effort in in discovering how penicillin could be used… was needed to reduce bacterial infections in solders’ wounds” (126). This antibiotic was able to become vastly used because of its
need.
According to Bellis the need for a bacteria fighting drug led to intense research and development of the Penicillium mold, which led to penicillin. The development of this drug would not have occurred if Alexander Fleming cleaned his laboratory. Bellis states, “Alexander Fleming is credited with the discovery of penicillin, however accidental the discovery actually was” (125). Although Alexander Fleming is credited with the discovery of this antibiotic, it was actually Howard Florey and Ernest Cain who continued the research. According to Bellis, “In 1938, Howard Florey and Ernst Chain began to study penicillin. They believed there was medical potential in penicillin” (126). Florey and Chain continued the research for many years, and they were able to bring out the full potential of the Penicillium mold. Bellis says, “In 1945, Florey, Chain, and Fleming were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine” (126). This quote says that after six years of intense research Florey, and Chain were able to create the drug, Penicillin.
In brief, because of Fleming’s discovery, and Florey and Chain’s hard work penicillin is a drug which cures many people. Penicillin has risen to become a very crucial drug in today’s world because of its discovery and development.
1928… when he came back, he noticed that every dish he had left out in the open was covered in mold” (121). This citation exemplifies the idea that although Alexander Fleming did not purposefully want to grow mold, he obtained knowledge about Penicillium mold. The discovery of penicillin is vital because it led to the development of the mass-produced antibiotic The need for a drug which would help kill bacteria paved the way for scientists to apply more research to the Penicillium mold.
Dr. Fleming believed that penicillin could have medical value if people learned how to use it. Bellis says, “…Dr. Fleming in 1929 published the results of his investigations, noting that his discovery might have therapeutic value if it was produced in quantity” (123). This quote restates the idea that Dr. Fleming, the founder of penicillin, believes that the drug could possibly have medicinal value. Penicillin was believed to be able to stop infectious diseases from entering open wounds, and stopping bacteria from causing harm to the human body. According to Bellis, “Part of the reason for increased effort in in discovering how penicillin could be used… was needed to reduce bacterial infections in solders’ wounds” (126). This antibiotic was able to become vastly used because of its
need.
According to Bellis the need for a bacteria fighting drug led to intense research and development of the Penicillium mold, which led to penicillin. The development of this drug would not have occurred if Alexander Fleming cleaned his laboratory. Bellis states, “Alexander Fleming is credited with the discovery of penicillin, however accidental the discovery actually was” (125). Although Alexander Fleming is credited with the discovery of this antibiotic, it was actually Howard Florey and Ernest Cain who continued the research. According to Bellis, “In 1938, Howard Florey and Ernst Chain began to study penicillin. They believed there was medical potential in penicillin” (126). Florey and Chain continued the research for many years, and they were able to bring out the full potential of the Penicillium mold. Bellis says, “In 1945, Florey, Chain, and Fleming were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine” (126). This quote says that after six years of intense research Florey, and Chain were able to create the drug, Penicillin.
In brief, because of Fleming’s discovery, and Florey and Chain’s hard work penicillin is a drug which cures many people. Penicillin has risen to become a very crucial drug in today’s world because of its discovery and development.