This gives an interesting perspective on what it is to be human - - TopicsExpress

David Alexis

This gives an interesting perspective on what it is to be human - or any living creature, for that matter. We are who we are because of what they (our microbe tenants) are. Take away the microbes, and whats left would not be called human by any standard. Our non-human components are what actually make us human. They give us life and allow our cells to survive in a hostile environment. The human cells in our bodies are simply scaffolding for hosting microbe communities. Richard Dawkins wrote in his excellent book, The Selfish Gene, that life exists simply because it is the emergent strategy of genes - mere chemical compounds - ensuring their survival. Taken to another level, this means that higher order life exists simply an an emergent strategy of microbes ensuring their survival. No wonder I find microbes so beautiful and fascinating.

Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 22:24:42 +0000

This gives an interesting perspective on what it is to be human - - TopicsExpress

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