“Parasites Practicing Mind Control”
By: Carl Zimmer
Source: New York Times
http://nyti.ms/1pLNYIM
A new parasite called Toxoplasma
Gondi has been discovered. This parasite has infected eleven percent of all
Americans and half of the world’s population. Toxoplasma has the ability to
alter behavior and cause the host to commit dangerous tasks. Toxoplasma was
found to have the ability to turn the host’s genes on and off. However,
Toxoplasma can only reproduce in cats. Once Toxoplasma produces cysts inside of
the cat, the cysts enter the soil through the cat’s feces. Some animals are
afraid of cats, such as mice. However, mice are not aware of the cat’s presence
after being infected with toxoplasma. This parasite has the ability to take
over a host’s nervous system and render it useless. After being infected, a
host will begin to produce excess amounts of arginine vasopressin, a
neurotransmitter. Scientists believed that they could be able to reverse this
process and make a prey further aware of the predator. In order to test this
theory, scientists used mice and injected them with molecular caps. The molecular
caps would counteract toxoplasma and increase awareness of surroundings.
However, this injection is in progression and has functioned properly.
Scientists need to be aware of the
new threats that are spreading across the world. Through research and testing,
we will be able to understand how this parasite affects the inner workings of
our body. Scientists will soon be able to develop a remedy, which will help a
host fight against Toxoplasma. However, this parasite is newly discovered and
seems to be a form of pathogen. Scientists understand that no one wants to be controlled. They will work as hard as they can in order to guarantee that every host has control over themselves.
I really liked your choice of topic. You gave specific and detailed points on the parasite, how the parasite may harm people, and the importance of the article. You captivated my ultimate attention and kept it throughout your post, and I would love to read a full-length article like this for more information.
ReplyDeleteOne major reason why this was excellent is because it taught me something new. I learned about a major threat that affects the half the entire population. The article was informational. It is true that awareness of this parasite should increase. Like we do the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS, something should be done to increase awareness in order to find a remedy.
ReplyDeleteI found this topic tremendously interesting. It was not merely the concept of a new parasite, but rather the abilities of the creature. I find it wondrously fascinating that any being or phenomenon has the ability to successfully control the human mind, as I find the human mind to be the most powerful thing in existence (that I know of). Has it actually infected half of the world's population though? It sounds difficult to imagine.
ReplyDeleteThis topic was very intriguing, Sevag. I agree that scientists need to constantly know what we are up against. This parasite is very frightening and puts me on edge; there are so many new viruses and diseases spreading lately. This is the first I have heard of that actually has the ability to take over the host, which makes me even more uneasy. Hopefully his parasite will be very short-lived and will not affect us!
ReplyDeleteOooh Science! And cats? This was a fascinating subject sevag. I do not like topics on politics or bussiness that much, so this science topic caught my attention and really engaged me. I learned many things how this disease can only be reproduced in cats or how it is spreading across the world. Information on diseases across the world should be aware to everyone so thank you for informing us!
ReplyDeleteI always knew that I was a dog lover, and your topic only reinforces my opinion on why cats are a plague to the human population. The words parasite and mind control make the horrifying idea of a zombie apocalypse a possibility for the future. Toxoplasma Gondi may someday evolve the ability to reproduce in humans, which would set the perfect scene for World War Z II. This topic was highly informative and should be read about and spread throughout the world. Thank you for telling us of our inevitable fate as zombies!
ReplyDeleteSevag, the topic you chose to write about is profoundly intriguing. Your article led me to read the original, and I must say, you did an amazing job summarizing such complex science. I believe that this research may not only lead to stopping the Toxoplasma pathogen, but may even provide more insight regarding the effects of the neurotransmitter it forces the brain to produce, arginine vasopressin. I will definitely be doing some more research about this! Awesome work. :)
ReplyDelete