The Center for the History of Medicine

Polio Exhibit

Jonas Salk's remarks at Ann Arbor on April 12, 1995

A Future Closer to Our Hearts’ Desire

A Future Perspective

Within the limits of nature and human circumstance we make choices in the course of our life span. As may be seen from the past, when there is a will there is a way, illustrated by the reason for this gathering as we look back upon the past from the future that was then created. Is there a lesson to be learned from the story that has unfolded in the past 40 years, and what may be anticipated in the future upon which we may look back 40 years hence?

It is rare to be able to imagine and to create a future according to our heart’s desire, and be able to reflect upon how this came about that it may be repeated again and again.

If out of dreams reality is made, what are the dreams we would like to be able to realize 40 years hence? It is likely that, 40 years from now, the polio virus, like the virus of smallpox, will no longer exist in the human population and that it will no longer be necessary to continue to protect ourselves against it as is already true for smallpox. the eradication of the polio virus will undoubtedly occur sooner than 40 years from now. What more would we like to be able to look back upon that might also occur in the course of the next 40 years?

This question comes to mind in reflecting on celebrating the change in circumstances that occurred since 1955. The effect produced has affected people everywhere and could not have been accomplished by any one alone. It was initiated by a few and advanced to a stage that could be carried on by others and be continued in succeeding generations, contributing what each could do best. We continue to dream and to imagine what we desire to make it possible for all of us together to do what could not otherwise be done. This is what happened in the decades that preceded the 12th of April 1955. Will this not be what will have happened in the next 40 years and beyond when those who follow will reflect upon their triumphs over other adversities attributable to Nature or to the human side of Nature? We have come this far impelled by the positive forces of evolution, inspired in those who contributed to our fitness to survive and to continue to evolve. Hence we may well need to follow such evolvers as guides rather then those who prefer the status quo. What does wisdom dictate as we look back from the future that tells us upon what to focus our attention, that we may then be able to look back and recognize what was accomplished and what more needs to be done in the continuing unfolding of a more hopeful future?

As we reflect this way what might we see from the perspective of future time in the evolving universe in which we play an active part.? When seen this way what will we have added and what will we have taken away that will influence the future for the generations to come?

From this perspective, what, therefore, can we do that we may be seen by future generations as wise rather than profligate ancestors? This, it seems to me, is the question that needs to be posed as we approach the next millennium, in the perspective of from whence we have come, not only in the course of the last 40 years, but in the course of the last millennium or two.

Passing on the Torch

We have touched upon children and their future. All of us entered life as children and must continue to pass on the torch as passed on to us.

We have seen in broad perspective what is happening in our time, a time of transition, a time of metamorphosis as implied by the paradigm change in the transition that we are now experiencing in the movement from the past to the future.

Each generation must assume responsibility in their time, and it depends upon each of us to choose what we may do, what we may wish to accomplish for which the reward is the opportunity to do more. This rnay be the lesson learned from the past as seen in the opportunities that the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation continues to provide in creating a future for science for human use. They continue to do this in many ways, one of which is to have made possible the creation of an Institute to serve this purpose to which others have contributed through public funds as well.

Thus the continued patronage of knowledge and of science for human use will make it possible to celebrate in the future other victories in preventing and curing diseases of the mind and the body and in discovering ways to enhance health and well being long into the future.

The spirit here today is more that of a rededication than a celebration, inspired by what happened 40 years ago. Let there be gatherings from fine to time that we may be reminded of the past and create memories to be celebrated in the future. Let us generate hope and continue to aspire toward the creation of a new reality for our children and our children's children in the generation to come.