Magic Bullets: Chemistry vs. Cancer

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    Methods of Treatment:
    Vinblastine: From Jamaica to a Cure

    Using the Biographies

    This reading is the story of how tea leaves sent to Dr. Robert Laing Noble, a Canadian scientist, led him to discover a new cancer drug while he was searching for a treatment for diabetes. This reading illustrates that chemical research often yields unexpected results and that interpreting these results correctly can lead to new discoveries.

    For more information, at other Web sites...

      Dr. Robet Laing Noble — biography from the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.

    Relevant National Science Education Standards

      Life Science — Cancer cells play a major role in this reading.

      History and Nature of Science — The reading illustrates part of the history of cancer treatment.

    Relevant New Jersey State Science Education Standards

      5.1 The reading describes how Noble made systematic observations and interpreted results.
      5.2 The reading describes the discovery of a major cancer drug.
      5.4 The reading describes new cancer technologies.

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