Purpose of Appendix Believed Found

CambodiaSam sent in this story, which opens: "Some scientists think they have figured out the real job of the troublesome and seemingly useless appendix: It produces and protects good germs for your gut. That's the theory from surgeons and immunologists at Duke University Medical School, published online in a scientific journal this week. For generations the appendix has been dismissed as superfluous. Doctors figured it had no function. Surgeons removed them routinely. People live fine without them. The function of the appendix seems related to the massive amount of bacteria populating the human digestive system, according to the study in the Journal of Theoretical Biology. There are more bacteria than human cells in the typical body. Most are good and help digest food. But sometimes the flora of bacteria in the intestines die or are purged. Diseases such as cholera or amoebic dysentery would clear the gut of useful bacteria. The appendix's job is to reboot the digestive system in that case."

Comments

Re:another body part that is often yanked

[JewGold]

Good point, but why stop there? Cutting off the penis entirely completely eliminates the risk of all STDs. Why not do that? Also, sewing the mouth shut, removing digestive organs, and forcing your child to live off an IV drip eliminates obesity and complications from it including diabetes.

Or you could not mutilate your child, teach him to use condoms, and eat properly.