Show Notes
A Black doctor, a potential cure for AIDS, and the quest to find out what happened to it. A production of WHYY’s The Pulse and Local Trance Media Gary Davis, an Ivy League trained Black physician from Tulsa, Oklahoma, had one passion: to find a cure for AIDS. For years, he had witnessed the virus kill his patients and members of his community. He started his research in the early 90s, working with goats to tap into their strong immune response to the HIV virus. He rented a lab and collaborated with scientists at Tuskegee University. Within a few years, Davis brought his research to the FDA to start a clinical trial — but just hours before it was supposed to start — his trial was shut down. Davis had powerful critics, among them NIAID director Dr. Anthony Fauci. He also had many ardent supporters, who had heard about the serum and its potential. Some sued in court to be allowed to try it, while others chose to ask for forgiveness rather than permission to get their hands on it. Davis eventually took his work abroad, chasing a way to develop this cure, conducting human trials in Africa, forging dubious alliances with international investors, celebrities, sports stars, cult leaders and dangerous con men.. When Davis died unexpectedly, without ever being able to bring his cure to all who needed it, many of his followers suspected foul play. What was the true potential of Davis’ serum — and who are the people who say it saved their lives? And why were U.S. health agencies so quick to dismiss it? Reporter Grant Hill spent two-and-a-half years on Davis’ trail, speaking to his family, patients, friends, and foes. He uncovered a tangled web of global connections, suspicion, and the persistent hope that the serum will yet see the light of day. New episodes released on Tuesdays, starting July 26th. Available wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow Serum on Twitter and Instagram @serumpodcast For questions or tips related to Serum, please contact Maiken Scott at [email protected] or Grant Hill at [email protected]
More from Serum
The story of Precious Thomas, the brave little girl fighting HIV, captured people’s attention in the 1990s, and changed hearts and minds about the AIDS epidemic. And when Gary Davis’ serum seemingly brought about a dramatic improvement in the girl’s health, it gave a major boost to his profile and work. For the doctor’s supporters, Precious Thomas was — and still is — the best proof that Gary Davis’ serum could be effective. But for years, she refused to talk about what exactly happened — if her viral load had stayed undetectable, if she was “cured.” Then one afternoon, she sends a message to Grant. “Hello, I’m ready to speak my part and my truth if you still wanna listen.” She now uses a different name, has reclaimed her life outside of the spotlight, and is ready to tell her side of the story.
Gary Davis wanted to leave England and all of his troubles there behind. Eventually, he reconnected with an American investor, somebody he thought could reclaim the serum, gain legitimacy for it in the US — and perhaps keep the circling sharks at bay. The new effort to bring the serum to market would end up being his last. Grant checks into this American investor, who turns out to be a wealthy and powerful man from Texas. His business ventures have attracted legal scrutiny yet appear to have left him relatively unscathed. We find financial fraud, a suspicious suicide, ties to a fervent religious cult, and perhaps connections to federal intelligence agencies. Is this man still actively pushing a drug treatment based on the goat serum long after the doctor’s death? And how will he react to new questions about Gary Davis all these years later?
Goat’s blood is in the water, and sharks are circling. A powerlifter from North Carolina has connected Gary Davis to a wealthy and influential man in London, who appears to have unlimited resources. Dr. Davis desperately needs financial support, but also wants to hold on to his own vision for the serum. Interests collide — and the serum’s formula is spun into a new, murky business venture. A dusty old VHS tape turns out to be a Rosetta Stone in terms of piecing together what happened when the doctor was in England — and who might have encouraged a cowboy from Jet to skip town and disappear. Serum is a limited run podcast production of WHYY’s The Pulse and Local Trance Media. Follow Serum on Twitter and Instagram @serumpodcast For questions or tips related to Serum, please contact Maiken Scott at [email protected] or Grant Hill at [email protected]
Where are the people Gary Davis treated with the serum? Why is nobody who took it willing to talk? A very cagey former patient finally agrees to meet with Grant, under several specific conditions: Only if it rains, only if Grant comes to visit him in his very small town, and only if they can talk where no one else can hear them. The stranger finally pulls up in his pickup truck, at a tumbleweed intersection in rural Oklahoma, windows tinted too dark to see him. And his story is even weirder than all the conditions may have suggested. Serum is a limited run podcast production of WHYY’s The Pulse and Local Trance Media. Follow Serum on Twitter and Instagram @serumpodcast For questions or tips related to Serum, please contact Maiken Scott at [email protected] or Grant Hill at [email protected]
Deep conversations with the doctor’s family members paint a complicated picture of Gary Davis, the man — and Gary Davis, the legend. The doctor was often broke and filed for bankruptcy twice, but then suddenly seemed to have lots of money. Several people tell Grant this wealth may have come from the doctor’s high-profile clients —- including one NBA superstar. Davis’ daughter wants to talk about how her father died, and the fact that she feels like something bad happened to him. His niece has no interest in getting into that debate, and feels it’s not even a question. So, what really happened the night Gary Davis died? Serum is a limited run podcast production of WHYY’s The Pulse and Local Trance Media. Follow Serum on Twitter and Instagram @serumpodcast For questions or tips related to Serum, please contact Maiken Scott at [email protected] or Grant Hill at [email protected]