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Humans Are Superorganisms

Posted by timothy on from the one-way-of-looking-at-things dept.

colonist writes "You are not completely human. You are a superorganism made up of human cells, fungi, bacteria and viruses. That's the view of scientists from Imperial College London and Astra Zeneca, published in Nature Biotechnology. Microbes in the gut can weigh up to one kilogram, forming the second largest metabolic 'organ'. Human cells and genes are outnumbered by microbial cells and genes. 'Understanding the man-microbe interaction is likely to be crucial in realising personalised medicine and healthcare in the future,' says the lead researcher."

5 of 81 comments (clear)

  1. icky... by dave-tx · · Score: 2, Funny
    Wow, now I really feel like I need a shower.

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    >> "What would the robut do? Frame someone!"

  2. Oh no they don't :) by n54 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Afaik all bacteria reproduce asexually (apologies to anyone getting their hopes up) ;)

    Then again most /.'ers will probably find cloning inside their tummies more fascinating than sex...

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    this comment is provided "as is" and without any express or implied legibility or congruity [...]
  3. Powers by wed128 · · Score: 3, Funny

    So Wait...if i'm a superorganism...what kind of super powers do i have? do i use them for good, or for awesome?

  4. Finally! by macemoneta · · Score: 4, Funny

    Finally! A scientific explanation for all those voices in my head.

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    Can You Say Linux? I Knew That You Could.

  5. Why yes... by Idarubicin · · Score: 4, Funny
    I am a super organism. Thank you for noticing.

    You're not a bad organism, yourself.

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    ~Idarubicin