Jacinto Convit García,
11th September, 1913
Foreigners are a strange bunch. If they’re not coming over here in their billions and billions to eat people’s hamsters in Ohio, they’re deliberately forming countries in South America to antagonise America. Take Venezuela, for example, a country that was created in 1845 just to give certain tiny faced, perma-angry, beany-hatted, Russian backed internet podcast buffoons a name to shout during ‘debates’.
Nothing gives them an easier way out of having to account for their nonsense than the safety net of simply being able to bellow “VENEZUELA!! VENEZUELAAAA!!” at people in lieu of an argument. If you can get a few mentions of Hugo Chavez in there, it's even better.
The US loves nothing better than promoting democracy and freedom by having the democratically elected President of a South American country overthrown and replaced by a murderous tyrant, something it did in Chile that resulted in the death of its democratically elected president, Salvador Allende, 51 years ago today. His Henry Kissinger rubber-stamped replacement, Augustin Pinochet, was a brutal tyrant who murdered thousands of political opponents, some by tossing them out of helicopters and ruined the economy. But that’s the price you have to pay for democracy and freedom, according to the CIA. Or, rather, it was the price Chile had to pay for America’s sense of democracy and freedom back home.
As far as I know, and I’ve never been, Venezuela is a perfectly lovely place and the people of that country are magnificent and friendly, but the entire place is nothing more than a Communist front designed to make MAGA lunatics angry about Haitian cat eaters. Ok, it’s beautiful and has lots of history, but HUGO CHAVEZ!! Sure, they gave the world potatoes, but also VENEZUELA!!
Or something. If I’m honest, I’m not entirely sure what the American right-wing is talking about these days, but I’m not sure they do, either.
Venezuela was also the home of the physician and scientist, Jacinto Covit, who was exactly the sort of person who would have made the MAGAnauts angry. Not only was he a pioneer in the world of vaccinations, and therefore trying to control abortions via the woke mind virus or some shit, but he also displayed the disgusting virtue that outrages them the most - compassion for fellow humans.
Jacinto Convit García, born on September 11, 1913, in Caracas, Venezuela, and passing on May 12, 2014, was a renowned physician and scientist whose contributions to the field of immunology transformed the global approach to infectious diseases. His work on vaccines for leprosy and leishmaniasis stands as a testament to his lifelong commitment to addressing the health disparities in underprivileged regions, and his research continues to influence modern medical practices.
Convit's early life was deeply rooted in academic curiosity, which shaped his medical career. He studied at the Central University of Venezuela, where he completed his medical degree in 1938. His focus quickly turned to one of the most stigmatized diseases of the time: leprosy. During the mid-20th century, leprosy patients were often isolated in colonies, socially ostracized, and subjected to inhumane treatment. Convit, however, sought to change both the medical and social approach to this disease.
In the early 1940s, Convit joined the leprosarium in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, where he began working on methods to improve the treatment of leprosy. His determination led him to develop a vaccine in 1987 that combined Mycobacterium leprae, the bacterium responsible for leprosy, with BCG, an existing tuberculosis vaccine. This combination proved effective in providing immunity against leprosy and marked a significant milestone in the fight against the disease. His innovative approach helped Venezuela become the first country to treat leprosy patients outside of colonies, a revolutionary step toward the social reintegration of these individuals
Beyond his achievements with leprosy, Convit’s work extended to another neglected tropical disease: leishmaniasis. Similar to his vaccine for leprosy, Convit developed an immunotherapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis, which affects millions in tropical regions. His approach combined live Leishmania parasites with BCG, applying principles from his leprosy research to this equally devastating illness.
His efforts had a profound impact, leading to improved treatment options in countries where leishmaniasis was endemic.
Jacinto Convit’s contributions to the field of tropical medicine did not end with infectious diseases. In the later years of his life, he turned his attention to cancer, recognizing similarities between the immune responses in cancer patients and those suffering from leprosy and leishmaniasis. Convit began developing a personalized cancer immunotherapy based on his experiences treating these diseases. His research aimed to empower the body's immune system to fight cancer cells by applying the same principles that guided his earlier work.
Convit's legacy also extended to his leadership in the scientific community. He established several key research institutions in Venezuela, including the National Institute of Dermatology and the Central Institute of Dermatology, which provided a platform for new generations of medical researchers. He believed strongly in the importance of education and mentorship, fostering a collaborative environment for future scientists in both Venezuela and abroad.
Throughout his career, Convit's work garnered international recognition. In 1988, he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his development of the leprosy vaccine. Though he did not win, this nomination reflected the global impact of his work. His contributions earned him various awards, including the Prince of Asturias Award for Scientific and Technical Research in 1987 and the Legion of Honor from France.
One of the most striking aspects of Convit's career was his dedication to public service. He worked tirelessly to ensure that his treatments were accessible to the poorest and most marginalized communities. His refusal to charge patients for his services highlighted his commitment to humanitarian principles. In a world where medical advancements are often limited to those who can afford them, Convit's approach was revolutionary.
In 2010, the Jacinto Convit World Organization (JCWO) was founded to preserve and continue his work. This organization, based in both the U.S. and Venezuela, focuses on cancer immunotherapy and the treatment of endemic infectious diseases, continuing Convit's mission to provide medical care to underserved populations. The organization has continued his research on the breast cancer vaccine known as ConvitVax, which is currently in the development stages. The JCWO collaborates with international institutions to expand access to treatments and promote Convit's legacy across the globe
Even after his passing in 2014, Jacinto Convit’s impact on global health remains profound. His work is a testament to the power of science to transform lives, particularly in the world’s most neglected regions. Today, researchers continue to build on his discoveries, further developing the vaccines and treatments that he pioneered. Convit's belief that medical science should serve the greater good continues to inspire doctors and scientists worldwide, ensuring that his contributions will have a lasting influence on public health.
Convit’s work and his pioneering efforts in immunology were not only focused on eradicating the diseases he studied but also on dismantling the social stigmas that came with them. His leprosy vaccine, in particular, exemplified his dual focus on medical advancement and humanitarian compassion, as he sought to reintegrate patients into society. His holistic approach to medicine and public health made him one of the 20th century’s most impactful figures in global health.
Today, Convit's name is synonymous with public health advocacy and scientific innovation, and his legacy lives on in the institutions and research programs he helped establish. His contributions continue to shape modern medical practices and inspire efforts to provide equitable healthcare to all.