
Part 1
Part 2
When a charismatic researcher unveils a vaccine that promises to end the common cold, the world erupts in celebration. The breakthrough, presented at a high‑profile medical conference, is hailed as the greatest triumph in modern medicine, and the headlines explode with the promise of a sniffle‑free future. Yet behind the fanfare, a fierce rivalry brews among the scientists who helped develop the cure, and questions about rushed testing and credit‑stealing quickly surface.
The story follows the heated clash between the ambitious Dr. Coffin, eager to ride the wave of fame, and his disgruntled colleagues who feel betrayed and anxious about unproven results. Their debates spill from laboratory walls into press rooms and political corridors, exposing the fragile balance between scientific ambition, ethical responsibility, and public expectation. Listeners are drawn into a fast‑moving drama that asks whether humanity is ready for a miracle that may be too good to be true.
Language
en
Duration
~33 minutes (31K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
Jan 14, 2008
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1928–1992
A physician as well as a science-fiction writer, Alan E. Nourse brought medical expertise and human concerns to stories about medicine, science, and the future. Writing for both young and adult readers, he also explored popular medicine under the name “Doctor X.”
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