Raye Cielo R.

Bercero
BS Biology IV

January 6, 2014
STS 40 A
Critique on the film Outbreak

Outbreak is a medical disaster film made in the year 1995. The CDC and some
USAMRIID investigators respond to the reports of the presence of Matoda virus. It is not in
their knowledge that this virus had been present in Zaire at around 1967, the response team
during their time destroyed the camp that it was found to keep the knowledge about the virus
a secret. Eventually, during the present time, by capturing the host animal and extracting its
antibodies, the people infected with the virus and its mutated strain was healed. It was a very
long way to victory for Daniels but he still made it.
Science and technology in this movie had a huge help in finding for the treatment of
the virus. Yet, had it occurred at a different place or at a different time, I am not so sure that
the conclusion would be the same. From the movie itself, it is evident that there is a
difference on how people respond to an outbreak depending on the area and the time it had
took place. During the first outbreak of the virus, the government responded by totally
obliterating the area that had been infected. They did not even stop and consider on the
possible cure that they could produce in order to prevent the spread of the disease. Twenty
eight years later from that, the same outbreak had happened. With the temporal difference,
there had been a totally different response at the start. Now, they already sent a crew to
investigate this virus. Also, the CDC was in action to find a cure. Yet, when one small town
was infected with the virus, the government had ordered a Clean Sweep by bombing the
place to rid of the virus which can be used for biowarfare. Ultimately, Daniels convinced the
officials to not push through with what they were planning since they had already found the
host animal and already extracted an antibody that can kill the virus and its mutated strain.
The movie showed how a viral outbreak can spread very quickly and how the
government should be very alert and fast in responding to such durations. From the quote
showed at the beginning of the film, it is indeed true that, The single biggest threat to mans
continued dominance on the planet is a virus. (Joshua Lederberg, Nobel laureate). It is up
to the people on how to resolve such risk of loss. However, we cannot achieve this on our
own since we need the aid of technology and science to come out as victors. This may be
the explanation for the decision of the government in 1967 to totally wipe out the small town
in Zaire to prevent the spread of the Matoda virus. They probably did not have any choice at
that time since the apparatuses needed to find a treatment were still in the mind a certain
Nobel Prize winner. It is with this put into consideration that I have understood the measures
they have done to save the nation.
This spatial and temporal variation of response got me thinking on how developing
countries, like ours, will respond when a deadly outbreak spreads. Spatially, our place is not
yet that progressive in the terms of medical health. Temporally though, we have already
reached the height of technology.
Overall, the movie has shown lots of important thoughts to ponder on. First, is that
we should be prepared for any disaster to happen, including a deadly viral outbreak.
Second, the government should start investing on medical supplies and a center for disease
control just like in other countries. Third, science and technology has really extended a big
hand in helping the people overcome the obstacles that life has thrown to them.