Saul Krugman
Encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Paul Krugman
.
Saul Krugman (1911 – 1995) was a medical researcher who discovered a vaccine
against hepatitis B.
in 1911. He began his undergraduate studies at Ohio State University
in 1929 and, after taking time off following his junior year to earn money so he could complete his studies, graduated from the University of Richmond
in 1934.
(NYU). Krugman was the first to distinguish hepatitis A
from hepatitis B and made great strides in describing their different characteristics and behaviors. While examining blood samples from patients with hepatitis at NYU, Krugman discovered that heating blood containing hepatitis B would kill the virus while preserving an antibody
response when used as a vaccine.
In a contentious set of experiments (widely considered grossly unethical), live virus preparations were injected by Krugman and co-workers into pediatric inmates at the notoriously overcrowded Willowbrook State School
in Staten Island, New York. Krugman and coworkers showed that by injecting patients upon admission to the institution with immunoglobulins, a passive immunity
could be achieved . The ethical concerns of the study were acknowledged by Krugman and Ward (1958) These studies were sponsored by the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board, Office of the Surgeon General, U.S. Army and approved by the New York State Department of Mental Hygiene
. The ethics of the Willowbrook Studies have been widely debated and continue to challenge students of bioethics.
In 1972, Krugman became the president of the American Pediatric Society
.
Paul Krugman
Paul Robin Krugman is an American economist, professor of Economics and International Affairs at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, Centenary Professor at the London School of Economics, and an op-ed columnist for The New York Times...
.
Saul Krugman (1911 – 1995) was a medical researcher who discovered a vaccine
Vaccine
A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism, and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe or its toxins...
against hepatitis B.
Early Years and Education
The son of Russian Jewish immigrants, Krugman was born in the BronxThe Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
in 1911. He began his undergraduate studies at Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
in 1929 and, after taking time off following his junior year to earn money so he could complete his studies, graduated from the University of Richmond
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate...
in 1934.
Career
Dr. Krugman began his medical studies at the Medical College of Virginia and later went on to pursue research at the New York UniversityNew York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
(NYU). Krugman was the first to distinguish hepatitis A
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus , an RNA virus, usually spread the fecal-oral route; transmitted person-to-person by ingestion of contaminated food or water or through direct contact with an infectious person...
from hepatitis B and made great strides in describing their different characteristics and behaviors. While examining blood samples from patients with hepatitis at NYU, Krugman discovered that heating blood containing hepatitis B would kill the virus while preserving an antibody
Antibody
An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique part of the foreign target, termed an antigen...
response when used as a vaccine.
In a contentious set of experiments (widely considered grossly unethical), live virus preparations were injected by Krugman and co-workers into pediatric inmates at the notoriously overcrowded Willowbrook State School
Willowbrook State School
Willowbrook State School was a state-supported institution for children with intellectual disabilities located in the Willowbrook neighborhood of Staten Island in New York City from the 1930s until 1987....
in Staten Island, New York. Krugman and coworkers showed that by injecting patients upon admission to the institution with immunoglobulins, a passive immunity
Passive immunity
Passive immunity is the transfer of active humoral immunity in the form of readymade antibodies, from one individual to another. Passive immunity can occur naturally, when maternal antibodies are transferred to the fetus through the placenta, and can also be induced artificially, when high levels...
could be achieved . The ethical concerns of the study were acknowledged by Krugman and Ward (1958) These studies were sponsored by the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board, Office of the Surgeon General, U.S. Army and approved by the New York State Department of Mental Hygiene
New York State Department of Mental Hygiene
The New York State Department of Mental Hygiene was founded in 1926 as part of a restructuring of the New York state government. This department was given responsibility for people diagnosed with mental retardation, mental illness or epilepsy....
. The ethics of the Willowbrook Studies have been widely debated and continue to challenge students of bioethics.
In 1972, Krugman became the president of the American Pediatric Society
American Pediatric Society
The American Pediatric Society / Society for Pediatric Research are joint professional and advocacy organizations for pediatricians in the United States and Canada....
.