Kuru: The Science and the Sorcery Backdrop Blur
Kuru: The Science and the Sorcery Poster

Kuru: The Science and the Sorcery

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?

Top Cast

  • Judy Davis

    Judy Davis

    Self - Narrator (voice)

  • Michael Alpers

    Michael Alpers

    Self

  • Russ Harris

    Russ Harris

    Self

  • Pako Ombeya

    Pako Ombeya

    Self

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?

Rating

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