Re:How biological invaders challenge our idea of self and other
by ommunist on Thursday April 21, 2016 @09:03AM
(#11541753)
The article does not mention widely distributed Toxoplasma gondii, that actually changes the behaviour of hosts in the interests of parasites. Think you like cats? Think again!
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Re:How biological invaders challenge our idea of self and other
by Kristine1975 on Friday April 22, 2016 @03:47AM
(#11547624)
Toxoplasma gondii is a bit overrated in my opinion. Unless your immune system is compromised or you're pregnant, there's no scientific proof that there's immediate danger from it. And if your immune system is weak or you're pregnant, you have a good excuse to make someone else clean the cat litter ;-)
Also my behavior is influenced by a lot of things outside my control: Genes, hormones, antidepressants[1]... what do I care if a parasite adds to the mix?
[1] While I can control my intake, I can't control the side-effects.
Re:How biological invaders challenge our idea of self and other
by im3w1l on Friday April 22, 2016 @04:12AM
(#11547705)
The claim is not that there is an immediate danger. The claim is that there is a subtle, bad influence.
Re:How biological invaders challenge our idea of self and other
by proksoup on Thursday April 21, 2016 @07:21PM
(#11546021)
The article itself seems to be talking more about the perceived sense of self is, and how that might be affected by organisms that replace our existing organisms.
The title led me to believe it might be something more like the gondii situation mention.
There is perhaps an association between gondii and schizophrenia. Here is one meta analysis[1]
"The results suggest that individuals with schizophrenia have an increased prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii. This association is consistent with other epidemiological studies as well as with animal studies."
[1] http://schizophreniabulletin.oxfordjournals.org/content/33/3...