The Scientist Who Intentionally Infected a Child: Who Was Edward Jenner?
Who was Edward Jenner, and why did his invention bring a major breakthrough to the world of medicine?
Edward Jenner was an 18th-century British doctor considered the "father of vaccination" because he was the first to successfully develop a vaccine for smallpox, one of the deadliest diseases in history.
During that period, smallpox killed millions worldwide and caused severe disability and scarring among many survivors.
Jenner noticed that people who had been in contact with cows infected with cowpox (a relatively mild illness) did not contract smallpox. From this, he realized that exposure to cowpox might grant some immunity against smallpox.
The Experiment That Became a Turning Point
In 1796, Jenner decided to conduct an experiment, which would later be recognized as groundbreaking, bringing him fame and honor.
The subject of his experiment was a young boy named James Phipps, whom Jenner deliberately infected with cowpox. This was a bold step as no one had attempted such a thing before—but shortly after his infection, it became clear that Phipps recovered quickly, and the disease vanished as if it never existed.
Jenner's hypothesis was confirmed when it was discovered that the boy was immune to smallpox—and the rest made history.
Jenner's experiment was revolutionary, and thanks to it, the medical world was able to pursue life-saving vaccines against the deadly disease. Jenner's vaccine was the first ever invented.
