The Progressive Commentary Hour 1.14.25

Dr. John Martin is a virologist and medical researcher who has greatly contributed to the study of viral infections and their role in chronic diseases. He is the medical director of the Institute for Progressive Medicine at the non-profit charity MI Hope that supports those with mental illness. During his tenure at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Dr. Martin significantly increased our understanding of viruses such as HIV, hepatitis, and herpesviruses. He later worked as Chief of the FDA's Virus Oncology Laboratory evaluating vaccine safety, especially vaccine contamination with adventitious agents, which led to his interest in stealth-adapted viruses -- viruses that are not recognized by our immune system. This research led to his theory that such stealth pathogens, such as simian cytomegalovirus contamination in the polio vaccines, could contribute to a wide range of chronic illnesses including neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism and chronic fatigue. Following his work in government health agencies, John was a professor of pathology at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. His current research is focused on Kinetic Energy Limiting Electrostatic Attraction or KELEA, which can aid immune function, suppress stealth viruses, enhance water for crops and for purifying ecological environments. He holds an MD and a separate PhD from the University of Sydney and University of Melbourne respectively.