Chloe Ramirez
In *The Last of Us*, Ellie has a mutated Cordyceps infection, which has granted her immunity. The Fireflies, a group attempting to establish a government run by the people, believe that they can create a vaccine from Ellie's infection. However, the process would require Ellie's death, as they plan to harvest her infected brain tissue. This has sparked a debate among fans of the game, with some arguing that a vaccine could have been created without killing Ellie, while others contend that the Fireflies were desperate and taking a risk. Some fans also question the likelihood of a vaccine being successfully distributed in a society that has already fallen apart.
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What You'll Learn
Ellie's unique infection
The infection inside Ellie had mutated, and this posed a challenge to the doctors who were seeking to create a vaccine. The Fireflies, a group of doctors, believed that they needed to operate on Ellie post-mortem to access the mutated infection and develop a cure. However, their plan was rushed and lacked rigorous scientific methodology. The doctors intended to harvest cells from Ellie's brain and multiply them in a lab, but this would have resulted in her death and potentially hindered their ability to understand her immunity fully.
The in-game experts had accumulated twenty years of knowledge about the cordyceps fungus, far surpassing the understanding of real-world experts. Despite this, the creation of a vaccine from Ellie's infection is a subject of debate. Some players argue that a vaccine could have been created if Ellie had died, while others question the feasibility due to the unique nature of her infection and the potential challenges in mass production and distribution.
It is important to note that Ellie's immunity is a fictional scientific concept, and the feasibility of creating a vaccine from her unique infection may differ from real-world medical possibilities. Additionally, there is a narrative aspect to the scenario, as the urgency of Ellie's surgery and the potential for a cure contribute to the emotional conflict and moral ambiguity within the game.
While Ellie's immunity is unique, there is speculation that other immune individuals may exist. These people could potentially be in safe quarantine zones, never having been exposed to the infection. This suggests that Ellie might not be the only key to developing a vaccine, and other avenues for exploration could exist within the game's universe.
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The feasibility of mass production and distribution
On the other hand, it is argued that the Fireflies were the only group still trying to find a cure and had accumulated the necessary knowledge, technology, and personnel. They had access to Ellie, who had a unique infection that granted her immunity. It is suggested that they could have used her blood and stem cells to develop the vaccine without killing her, as live cells are more effective than dead cells. Additionally, the doctor working for the Fireflies was believed to be the only one capable of creating a vaccine.
However, there are concerns about the feasibility of mass production and distribution. The process of studying Ellie's immunity and developing a vaccine would likely have taken a significant amount of time, and it is unclear if the Fireflies had the necessary resources and infrastructure for large-scale production and distribution. There is also the possibility that the Fireflies would use the vaccine as a tool to gain power and control over people, rather than distribute it fairly.
Moreover, it is important to consider the state of society at the time. After twenty years of the outbreak, people had formed different groups, some of which were violent and cannibalistic. It is questionable if these groups would be willing to work together towards distributing the vaccine and rebuilding civilization. The military, which controlled the safe zones, and the Fireflies, who wanted to reestablish a government run by the people, were already in conflict.
In conclusion, while there are arguments for both sides, the feasibility of mass production and distribution of a vaccine derived from Ellie remains uncertain. The success of such an endeavor would depend on a multitude of factors, including the capabilities of the Fireflies, the availability of resources, the effectiveness of the vaccine, and the willingness of different groups to collaborate.
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Ellie's immunity
The doctors with the Fireflies believed that they could create a vaccine from Ellie's mutated Cordyceps strain. However, they would have had to operate on Ellie post-mortem to do so. This is because the infection inside of her had mutated, and the doctors believed that they needed to harvest cells from her brain to create a vaccine. Ellie's immunity is unique, and the doctors did not know why she was immune, which is what further study would have been for. However, they rushed her into surgery, which some players interpret as an attempt to immediately harvest a cure from her, rather than study her immunity.
Some players argue that the doctors could have studied Ellie's immunity while keeping her alive. For example, they could have used her blood and stem cells to try to replicate her immunity in a lab setting. It is also suggested that there may be other immune people in safe quarantine zones, and that Ellie is therefore not the only possibility for creating a vaccine. Additionally, given that Ellie's immunity was caused by exposure to the Cordyceps infection as a fetus, it is speculated that the best way to create a vaccine would be to recreate these conditions by exposing another fetus to the infection through its mother.
It is unclear whether a vaccine could have been successfully created from Ellie, even if she had died. Some players argue that the doctors were taking a risk and were not sure they could replicate Ellie's immunity or create a vaccine. Others argue that the doctors were experts in the game's fungus and that a vaccine was possible given a successful extraction of the growth in Ellie's brain. However, there are also concerns about whether a vaccine could have been effectively distributed, given the state of society in the game's world.
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The morality of the doctors' plan
The morality of the doctor's plan in "The Last of Us" is a highly debated topic among fans of the game. The plan involved performing surgery on Ellie to harvest cells and try to multiply them in a lab setting, with the goal of creating a vaccine for the infection that had ravaged the world. However, the moral ambiguity of this plan lies in the fact that the surgery would have resulted in Ellie's death.
On one hand, some fans argue that the doctors were acting out of desperation and taking a risk. They had been trying to find a cure for over 20 years, and Ellie's unique case of immunity presented a promising opportunity. The doctor working for the Fireflies was believed to be the "only one" who could have created a vaccine, and his note saying that "tomorrow we alter the course of history" indicates his confidence in the plan.
However, others criticize the doctors' approach as rushed and unethical. They argue that the doctors should have taken more time to study Ellie's immunity and how it worked before resorting to invasive surgery. Additionally, there are concerns about the feasibility of the plan, as creating a vaccine from Ellie's mutated Cordyceps strain was a long shot, and mass production and distribution would have been challenging.
Furthermore, some fans question the potential impact of a vaccine on society. After 20 years of chaos and violence, it is uncertain if a vaccine would have been enough to rebuild civilization as it once was. The various factions and groups that had formed during the apocalypse may not have been willing to trust each other or work together towards a common goal.
Ultimately, the morality of the doctor's plan is a complex issue. While the potential creation of a vaccine could have saved countless lives, the means of achieving this involved sacrificing the life of a young girl. The ambiguity of the plan's success and the potential consequences for society further complicate the ethical debate surrounding the doctor's actions.
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The likelihood of a return to pre-outbreak society
Firstly, it is important to consider the potential creation of a vaccine or cure through Ellie's unique immunity. Ellie's body exhibits a rare ability to withstand the infection, presenting an opportunity to develop a medical solution. However, the process of extracting and understanding her immunity is challenging and ethically ambiguous. Some sources suggest that Ellie's death was not necessary for this process, and the doctors could have utilized blood, stem cells, or other live cells to study her immunity while keeping her alive. The doctors' rushed approach and lack of comprehensive understanding raise doubts about their competence and the likelihood of success.
Secondly, even if a vaccine or cure were developed, the distribution and societal acceptance of such a treatment are uncertain. The world of 'The Last of Us' is characterized by fragmented societies, violence, and distrust. Various groups, such as the Military in Boston, Hunters in Pittsburgh, and David's group, have engaged in immoral acts, raising questions about their willingness to cooperate for a common goal. The Fireflies, the group attempting to create a vaccine, are also portrayed as incompetent and failing, casting doubt on their ability to lead a unified effort.
Additionally, the technological and scientific capabilities of this post-apocalyptic world must be considered. Twenty years after the outbreak, the knowledge and infrastructure required to mass-produce and distribute a vaccine effectively may no longer exist. The challenge of rebuilding a global supply chain and healthcare system to deliver the vaccine to all corners of the world would be immense.
Moreover, the unique nature of the infection itself adds complexity. The cordyceps infection, while providing an interesting narrative device, is biologically impossible in the real world. This raises questions about the feasibility of a vaccine or cure within the fictional universe as well. The understanding of human and fungal biology may have deteriorated or become distorted over the years, impacting the chances of developing an effective medical solution.
Lastly, it is important to acknowledge the potential for other immune individuals beyond Ellie. The existence of other immune people, whether in safe quarantine zones or yet to be discovered, could provide alternative avenues for research and treatment development. However, this also introduces ethical dilemmas and the potential for exploitation or conflict over limited resources.
In conclusion, the likelihood of a return to pre-outbreak society in 'The Last of Us' is highly uncertain. While Ellie's immunity presents a potential pathway to a vaccine or cure, the ethical, scientific, and societal challenges are significant. The fragmented and violent nature of the post-apocalyptic world, combined with the loss of technological capabilities and unique biological factors, create immense obstacles to restoring society to its former state.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is likely that the doctors could have created a cure or vaccine without killing Ellie. Ellie's immunity is due to her exposure to cordyceps as a fetus. The doctors could have used her blood and stem cells to develop a cure without the need for her death.
It is unclear if Ellie was the only person with immunity. While Ellie's case appears unique, there may be others who are immune and live in safe quarantine zones, never exposed to the infection.
It is unclear if a vaccine was ever made in the game. The Fireflies, a group trying to reestablish a government, were working on a vaccine but it is not known if they were successful.
It is possible that the Fireflies could have created a vaccine, but it is unlikely that it would have been fairly distributed. The Fireflies may have used the vaccine as a tool to gain control, replacing the military dictatorship with their own.
This is a matter of moral ambiguity. Some argue that Joel saved Ellie and any chance of finding a cure, while others believe that the doctors could have created a vaccine and that Joel ruined their chances. Ultimately, it is a complex ethical dilemma with no clear right or wrong answer.
