by W. Diane Van Zwol

Created on: November 06, 2009

The Law of Similars or the Law of Opposites: The Art and Science of Creating an H1N1 Vaccine
The creation of vaccines is both an art and a science that humankind has delved into and has not yet fully mastered. At best, it is imperfect and leaves unanswered questions in the medical world. At the same time, there are vaccines that appear to work.
It is only time that will tell whether the current H1N1 vaccine will be effective, in terms of protection against the H1N1 virus and prevention with regard to the further spread of the disease.

Creating vaccines also raises questions of concern in the medical world. For instance, is 'the law of similars' or 'the law of opposites' the one that is used to create the H1N1 vaccine? Of course, not everyone is familiar with the medical principles behind 'the law of similars' or 'the law of opposites'.
This article will look at 'the law of similars", as well as "the law of opposites", in terms of the art and science of creating vaccines. More specifically, it will attempt to determine which law applies to creating the vaccine, now administered for the H1N1 virus.
What is the origin of 'the law of similars'?
"Before 1796, when British physician, Edward Jenner tested the possibility of using the cowpox vaccine as an immunization (sic) for smallpox in humans for the first time, at least six people had done the same, several years earlier." (1)
Cowpox, a disease contracted by dairymaids, was a disease entity, similar to smallpox.
The creation of vaccine, based upon the "law or similars", rather than the "law of opposites", made sense to those who understood that vaccine made from cowpox, could trigger an immune response in human beings. It also proved to protect people from smallpox.
Another question one might ask is whether the virus used for immunization against the H1N1 virus is created using the actual virus itself, a similar virus or something that is totally different or even opposite in nature?
"The WHO recommended before the H1N1/09 outbreak that vaccines from the Northern Hemisphere's 2009-2010 flu season contain an A(H1N1)-like virus, and stocks have been made." (2)
This statement suggests that the 'the law of similars', not 'the law of opposites', is used in the creation of this new vaccine.
"As of 28 September, 2009, GlaxoSmithKline produced a vaccine made by growing the virus in hen's eggs, then breaking and deactivating the virus, and Baxter International produced a vaccine made in cell culture, suitable

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