Whereas a diagnosis of hemophilia once amounted to almost a death sentence, new hope appeared in the 1960s with the development of a plasma called “Factor VIII,” which promised easier home treatment and also extended lives. In the excitement, few worried that donor blood was being drawn from cities' skid row districts, prisons, and foreign countries, but eventually it was learned that hepatitis C and later the HIV virus had been introduced into the nation's blood supply. Filmmaker Marilyn Ness's PBS-aired documentary combines narration, interviews, home movies, archival news footage, and dramatic re-creations to examine one of the largest human-made, medically induced epidemics in history, viewed from the perspective of several affected families, doctors, researchers, and government officials. Bad Blood describes the shattered lives lived by hemophiliacs, which no doubt led support groups, foundations, and the scientific establishment to react slowly against the growing threat from life-saving FVIII. Despite the evidence, tainted products remained in patients' homes and physicians' offices. Pharmaceutical companies were reluctant to undermine this lucrative market, and the FDA proved an ineffective regulator. Reform came only after a growing protest and outrreach campaign, but not before thousands had been infected. The new awareness of the vulnerability of the blood supply is a success story in itself, but given the struggle between regulators and profit-driven manufacturers, one health official warns “this will happen again.” DVD extras include an interview with the filmmaker, and deleted scenes. Offering a sobering and wide-ranging look at a major national crisis, this is recommended. [Note: this is also available with public performance rights for $179.95 from Films for the Humanities at www.films.com]. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)
Bad Blood: A Cautionary Tale
(2011) 82 min. DVD: $24.99. PBS Video. ISBN: 978-1-60883-483-9. Volume 26, Issue 6
Bad Blood: A Cautionary Tale
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: