Kuru: The Science and the Sorcery

Overview

Australian scientist Michael Alpers dedicated over 50 years to researching Kuru, an obscure and incurable brain disease unique to the Fore people of New Guinea. Kuru was once thought to be a psychosomatic illness, an infection, a genetic disorder, even a sorcerer's curse, but Alpers' findings pointed to cannibalism as the culprit. Yet a recent discovery has proven to be even more disturbing: the malady is linked to mad cow disease and its human equivalent, variant CJD. With a decades-long incubation period, could a larger outbreak be on its way?

Details

Status

Released

Release date

December 1, 2010

Original language

English

Cast

Michael Alpers,Russ Harris,Pako Ombeya,Judy Davis

Director

Rob Bygott

Writer

Rob Bygott

Producer

Peter Du Cane

Budget

Not recorded

Revenue

Not recorded

IMDb

tt1544565