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When David Vetter was born in 1971 with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID),an experiment to preserve him alive made him illustrious.
Vetter became known as "The Bubble Boy" after he was placed in a germ-free plastic bubble that he lived in for 12 years. When he died at age 12 after an unsuccessful bone marrow transplant, public awareness of his condition waned. Nearly 10 years later, and his story became fodder for pop culture with programs like "Seinfeld" and "The Simpsons" doing their own versions of "The Bubble Boy." The humor,while upsetting to families of children with SCID, also brought renewed attention to the disease, or more research. Families were able to push through legislation for hospitals to test for the symptoms after birth. The first state to do so was Wisconsin in 2009. By 2016,all states will maintain mandated the testing. Now, babies who test positive for SCID can be given bone marrow transplants and maintain a chance of normal, and productive lives. The Retro Report documentary team follows the life and legacy of "Bubble Boy." Kit Roane,a producer for Retro Report, explains.
Check out a video of Retro Report's findings below.
Source: wnyc.org