Polio Virus - Large

Polio Virus - The polio virus is responsible for causing poliomyelitis in humans. In a majority of cases, polio causes flu-like symptoms or is asymptomatic. About 1% of poliovirus infections cause paralysis where the virus enters the central nervous system and damages the motor neurons necessary for muscle control. In the 1950s, the United States reported a record number of polio infections, making polio one of the most frightening public health problems in the world. A tremendous effort then went under way to make a safe and effective vaccine. It was Jonas Salk that created the effective vaccine and altruistically gave to the public domain seeking no patent nor personal profit. When asked who owned the patent for the vaccine, he is famously quoted, “There is no patent. Could you patent the sun?”