© 2009 Ralph W. Moss, PhD

This 102-page report consists of my biography of Beard, another article on his legacy as a medical scientist, as well as a time line of his life and a complete bibliography of his works. This is the first time, to my knowledge, that anyone has paid such serious attention to the details of this important thinker's life and work. Along with four other scientific articles (not included here), this appeared last year as part a special issue of Integrative Cancer Therapies (December 2008) devoted to the topic of pancreatic enzymes, the trophoblastic cells of pregnancy, and cancer on the sesquicentenary of Beard's birth.

Until recently, most people had never heard of the human papillomavirus (HPV). But in June, 2006, when the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it had granted approval to a new vaccine called Gardasil, public awareness of HPV began to grow. Gardasil, manufactured by the drug company Merck, is a vaccine that protects against four specific strains of the human papillomavirus, two of which are associated with genital warts and the other two with the development of cervical cancer.

Once Gardasil was approved, Merck began an intense media campaign to raise public awareness - and public fear - of HPV. The campaign was cleverly targeted at the parents - but particularly the mothers - of young girls, with the aim of igniting acute concern about cervical cancer. Mothers who felt that their daughters were at risk of a potentially deadly viral infection would rush to get their daughters vaccinated with Gardasil, and would pressure their elected representatives to include Gardasil in the panel of vaccinations that are required for school entry.

Almost exactly two years ago, in February 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval to Avastin, a new kind of anti-cancer drug. In contrast to traditional chemotherapy, which indiscriminately kills all rapidly dividing cells (including healthy ones), Avastin works highly selectively. For this reason it is known as a 'targeted' drug.

Several targeted drugs have now been approved for use in cancer, but Avastin was the first of its particular type to be licensed by the FDA. Avastin is what is called an 'angiogenesis inhibitor.' These drugs are designed to prevent tumors from developing new blood vessels, thereby halting their supply of needed nutrients and stalling their growth.