My Little Underground: The Fall of Rome : Bacteria

Previous Entries: 1 - Introduction

I do not hold to Ray Kurzweil's technological utopianism. In fact, I don't think things are going to get much better. Sure, we'll have flashier cell phones, smaller computers and more GM food but diseases are going to increase at a faster rate than medicine can fight them for the bare fact that the medical industry is fighting them. Anti-biotics were the miracle cure and are now feature prominently in every restroom, kitchen and clinic in America. Anti-biotics kill "germs" but "germs" is a mystery term for a superstition that things you can't see are bad for you. Yes, a superstition. I am not going to tell you that bacteria and viruses don't exist, that's not my point.

Think about this: 10% of your body mass[1] is not you -- cells that do not carry your DNA, they are independent bacteria in a symbiotic relationship. Without these bacteria, we cannot survive. Yet anti-bacterial agents are everywhere, supposing that killing all bacteria might hit the few which could be negative for human health. But we don't really kill all bacteria with anti-bacterial soaps and such, we kill the weak ones and it's usually the stronger ones that are dangerous, it's just the number of benign or helpful bacteria which the bad ones under control. With these out of the way, strong, dangerous bacteria can flourish. More people get sick and they get sicker than they would have because their immune systems (which include bacteria) are weakened due to the use of anti-biotics. Yet people keep buying consumer anti-biotics.

Not only that, but bacteria are wonderful examples of evolution. They quickly adapt and more resilient strains are formed. Anti-biotics are not only hurting us but helping bad bacteria evolve to be stronger. As medical science attempts to find ways to kill the bacteria we have, they are pushing bacteria to be hardier and hardier. The predator actually makes his prey stronger by culling the weak.

Actually, the primary source of anti-biotics is not through soaps and cleaners but through animal farming. Due to the massively increased strain on animals in industrial farms, disease is rampant. Thus heavy doses of anti-biotics are given to cattle, chickens and other animals universally (without regard for the individual) which makes it's way into our bodies through meat and dairy products. Chemical run-off is also causing huge problems in the water supply in certain areas. Organic farms shun these artificial immune systems and separate the animals into reasonable distances, opting to produce less per acre for the sake of the health of the animal and of the consumer. Buy organic for your health.

Pasteurization kills bacteria -- all bacteria. Lois Pasteur actually invented the process for the wine making industry, so they could kill the natural bacteria and use cultured bacteria of a known quantity and quality instead. This was also used as a solution before the invention of anti-biotics of how to deal with the increased disease inherent in industrialized farming. Milk was pasteurized to kill pathogens in it from diseased animals. The problem with this is that it also eliminates protective, benign bacteria and is now a "blank slate" for any number of different bacterias, some of them pathogenic and some of them just gross. For a number of reasons, many local US government and other countries have banned the sale of non-Pasteurized milk. Some people are coupling with dairy farmers to secretly buy raw milk (my grandma used to when my mom was younger) due to excessive government regulations which are actually hurting people. In some areas (such as my town) raw milk is not prohibited and sells in the local organic food-coop and elsewhere. If you consume dairy products, try to make sure they are raw.[3]

The US Government is even listening!

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee voted unanimously on October 20, 2005 that there was a lack of evidence supporting the benefit of consumer products including handwashes, bodywashes, etc. containing antibacterial additives over similar products not containing antibacterial additives.

People survived for thousands and thousands of years without Pasteurization or anti-biotics. Many health problems are now caused by these "solutions". Traditional food is best.

[1] - Dry body weight. Considering that the human body is at least 60% water, this means at least 4% of normal body weight is bacteria. E.g. a fit adult man weighing 150lbs has at least 6lbs of bacteria in their system.

[2] - CDC Contact FAQ

[3] - Response to CDC and FDA press releases warning about "dangers" of consuming raw milk