We purged worms from our bodies – and may have made ourselves sick
8 days ago
- #C. elegans
- #Hygiene Hypothesis
- #Autoimmune Disorders
- C. elegans, a soil-dwelling roundworm, has been pivotal in scientific discovery, being the first to have its genome sequenced and neural network mapped.
- The hygiene hypothesis suggests that reduced exposure to infectious agents, like parasitic worms, in modern sanitized environments may contribute to the rise in autoimmune disorders.
- Parasitic worms, closely related to C. elegans, may have played a role in regulating immune systems, with their removal linked to increased allergies and autoimmune diseases.
- Researchers like Rick Maizels have found that parasitic worms secrete anti-inflammatory molecules, which our immune systems have adapted to over millions of years.
- Biotech companies, such as Holoclara led by Andrea Choe, are exploring the therapeutic potential of worm-derived molecules to treat autoimmune disorders without live parasites.
- The pharmaceutical industry is increasingly looking to nature for drug development, recognizing the benefits of coevolutionary relationships, such as those with parasitic worms.
- The removal of worms from human bodies is seen as a significant disruption to our health, with potential links to various modern diseases.
- The interconnectedness of humans and nature is emphasized, with caution advised against rapid removal of natural elements without understanding their roles.