Kill Switch: The History of How Viruses Shaped Humanity and Led to COVID-19
By (Author) Richard Burt
Forefront Books
Forefront Books
14th October 2025
2nd September 2025
United States
General
Non Fiction
Hardback
336
Width 152mm, Height 229mm
481g
From the fall of empires to the rise of global health, Dr. Richard Burts Kill Switch reveals how viruses have shaped human historyand what we must learn to protect our future.
Viruses are the invisible architects of life and human history. From ancient plagues to modern pandemics, they have shaped civilizations, altered wars, and redefined medicine. Kill Switch takes you on a riveting journey through the history of viral outbreaks, revealing how these microscopic invaders have influenced everything from who we are to the fall of empires to the rise of global health initiativesand how they ultimately led to COVID-19.
Written by renowned physician and scientist Dr. Richard Burt, this book provides a fascinating look at the intersection of science, history, and public health. Dr. Burt unpacks the story of viruses through gripping historical narratives, groundbreaking medical discoveries, and the critical lessons we must learn.
In Kill Switch, youll learn:
DR. RICHARD K. BURT is a Fulbright Scholar, CEO of Genani Biotechnology, a tenured retired Professor at Northwestern, and current Scripps faculty. He pioneered Americas first hematopoietic stem cell transplant for autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and scleroderma. Dr Burt has seven United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patents on using induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells for aging and degenerative diseases.
Dr. Burt was awarded Leukemia Scholar of America, the Lupus Foundation of America Fidelitas Award, the van Bekkum Award by the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), the Distinguished Clinical Achievement Award by the Clinical Research Forum, the EBMT Clinical Achievement Award, and the Keys to the Vatican in Rome. He has spoken at numerous conferences, universities, and institutions. Hospitals worldwide offer his stem cell protocols to patients.
Dr. Burt was recognized by Science Illustrated for accomplishing one of the Top 10 medical breakthroughs and by Scientific American as one of the Top 50 individuals for improving humanity and outstanding leadership. Dr Burt has written 150 medical / science articles, four medical textbooks, and two lay books: Everyday Miracles and Kill Switch.