somewherebecomingrain it's fascinating isn't it? It makes you question what's the "real" you! But here's the thing, humans have probably lived with a high infection rate for Toxoplasma gondii for quite some time, possibly so long that it has become part of our culture.
We celebrate risk taking - well, when people get it right at least! Like Felix Baumgartner's recent jump from the edge of space. And although risk taking might not be so good for the survival of the individual, it's often of benefit to the rest of us. Felix Baumgartner's jump wasn't just for fun, he's helped scientists trying to work out how people might survive a space-shuttle crash. But was he driven to do it by a parasite?!
And then, would we actually want everyone to be cured from it? Would it change the nature of the human race?
It's easy to think of there being a pure, un-infected human state, which is the real us. But the more I find out about this kind of stuff the more I thinks that actually the "real" us includes a collection of bacteria, parasites, diseases. There is no "pure" state.
So, for example (and bringing this back to babies! ... ) we have "friendly" bacteria in our stomachs for example. We've had them so long that our bodies have evolved to encourage them.
Not all of breast milk can actually be digested by babies. Until very recently, scientists thought that some of the milk was just waste. But they've recently discovered that the non-digestible part actually contains molecules which are there to feed the good bacteria in the gut, thus promoting a healthy gut (important in the fight against infection).
Also, many scientists believe that "a virus is probably responsible for the method of childbirth in humans ... Endogenous retroviruses are encoded in the DNA of every mammal, and are responsible for mammals incubating their young" link
In other words, our distant ancestors caught a virus which prevented them laying eggs, and the first mammal was born. This virus is passed down through our genes, all mammals which bear live young have it. In fact 8% of our DNA is the remnants of ancient viruses, apparently. link
I would rather not be cured of that one! I hurts to give birth, sure, but I'd much rather give birth to a baby than an egg!
I'm sure this is old news to those who study such things, but it's new to me and I think it's fascinating! Our sense of identity - who we are as individuals and species in fact includes a collection of viruses, bacteria and possibly parasites. Not saying that all bacteria / viruses are good of course! But that we live in them in a kind of long-term evolutionary game of chess, where we've managed to turn some infections to our advantage, or at least live with them.
Sorry I know it's a little off topic from April babies but I'm hoping kind of relevant as we are in the business of creating life at the moment :)
Apologies for essay-like post can't help it I'm a student! hope it's interesting though :)