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Here’s a partial list of medicines, medical treatments and public-health measures that originated outside of the United States and, thus, are made available to us Americans through our connections with non-Americans. How many of these marvels are you willing to sacrifice in order to be shielded from the possibility of the likes of covid-19?
— Antibiotics. Discovered chiefly by Alexander Fleming [3] – a Scot working in London – with important supporting roles played by an Australian [4] and a German [5].
— Immunology. Major developments originating in England [6], Germany [7], France [8], and Austria [9].
— Pasteurization. Discovered in France [10].
— Typhoid vaccine. Formulated in England [11].
— Epidemiology. Major breakthrough in England [12].
— Anesthesia. Major developments made in England and Scotland [13].
— Chlorination of water [14]. Began in Germany and England.
— Insulin. Developed for medical use with the chief contributions coming from Romania [15], England [16] and Canada [17].
—Heart transplant. First performed in South Africa [18].
— Discovery of how the immune system identifies cells invaded by viruses. Major advances in Australia [19] and Switzerland [20].
To the extent that we close ourselves off to foreign commerce, we close ourselves off to much more than what globalization’s opponents contemptuously dismiss as “trinkets and T-shirts.” [21] We close ourselves off also to, among other non-trivial goods, medical and scientific advances made abroad. And we also lose foreign-produced additions to supplies of medicines produced here at home.