Cocaine Vaccine In the Works

martyros writes "Researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine are performing clinical trials of a vaccine that teaches the immune system to attack cocaine, preventing it from giving a high. The vaccine is made by attaching inactivated cocaine molecules to the outside of inactivated cholera proteins. When the immune system attacks the cholera proteins, it also 'learns' the cocaine molecules as well. The result is that the immune system 'recognizes the potent naked drug when it's ingested. The antibodies bind to the cocaine and prevent it from reaching the brain, where it normally would generate the highs that are so addictive.'" An earlier story from The Star notes that human trials for vaccines against both cocaine and nicotine are well under way.

Comments

I don't mean to imply anything negative

[zappepcs]

but are you high?

Remember not that long ago, CHANTIX was the brave new way to kick the smoking habit... until about 30% of the users of this wonder drug started reporting psychotic episodes, and other vaguely torturous symptoms.

That someone found a way to attack the high from cocaine is interesting in the same way that it was interesting when they found they could subdue uncontrollable patients with EST or frontal lobotomy surgery. When it is proven safer than taking aspirin or perhaps eating ice cream, then we can start thinking about it's future uses.

The fact that CHANTIX causes psychotic episodes in so many people means literally that we do not yet understand how the chemical soup in our brains really works. Given a chance, I'd veto the use of this method until it is shown to be safer than eating at McDonald's.

Trust me when I say the pains of withdraw symptoms of nicotine are FAR better than psychotic episodes and not knowing if you are dreaming or awake. The ONLY reason for inventing a vaccine against cocaine is social control or making billions off of the government for their use of it on convicted cocaine users. The latter is the better option as it will provide a continuing revenue stream for the company that successfully patents the vaccine.

Yes, that is what I said. There is no noble intent here. This is yet another big pharma plan to make billions off of the government and people who can ill afford it. Like others have said, what else will it affect? There are tons of related chemicals in life that we really want to keep around that look a lot like cocaine inside the brain. You know that guy on the street corner still wearing his anti-agent orange shirt? Do you want to be him in 30 years?

Re:Analogs

[arivanov]

Or go to the dentist. Most dental painkillers are cocaine derivatives. Hmm... The joy of having a tooth pulled without a painkiller as a result of visiting rehab. Actually on a second thought some twats whose names start with P and finishing aris deserve that one once in a while.