In this article, Katherine Harmon discusses the importance of species-specific microbes for the successful functioning of immune system. The author reports the experiment carried out by Hachung Chung and her colleagues. They tried to raise mice that had only human gut microbiota (1, unpaged). According to the author, human microbes did survive, but the immune system of these mice remained underdeveloped and susceptible to different infections (1, unpaged).
The writer refers to the ideas of Hachung Chung who believes that the extensive use of antibiotics alters the microbiome of a human being. As a result, this person may be more likely to suffer from immunological disorders. Overall, Hachung Chung’s study indicates that species-specific microbes are instrumental for the effective work of immune system. Furthermore, this research provides extra-evidence in support of the hygiene hypothesis according to which the lack of exposure to microbes can suppress the development of immune system.
According to this article, the mice that were raised in a germ-free environment were much more vulnerable to various diseases, especially in comparison with those mice that were exposed to infections. Yet, their immune system could be strengthened by including species-specific microbes. This evidence can be used to support the hygiene hypothesis. Certainly, the findings of this study cannot be generalized and applied to humans, however, they should be considered by medical workers and drug researchers. When discussing these experiments, Katherine Harmon points out that the use of species-specific microbes can be soon applied in various areas of medicine (1, unpaged). These are the key issued discussed in this article. In my opinion, this article is both informative and interesting.
On the whole, the ideas, expressed in this article are supported by other researchers. For instance, Grahame Rook reports numerous epidemiological studies which show that various allergies and autoimmune diseases are more typical of people who have been raised in an extremely clean environment (2, 117). For instance, there are more asthma patients in developed countries, than in developing ones. Certainly, at this point, this hypothesis has not been completely proven, but it helps to explain many epidemiological trends in the world. Although, the findings reported by Katherine Harmon are by no means conclusive, they can throw a new light on this problem.
Most likely, similar experiments can soon be carried out. Furthermore, the researcher Michael Schmidt points out that the microorganisms that our body contains are needed for proper response of immune system to various viruses (3, 16). The problem is that antibiotics often kill these microorganisms and the body cannot properly react to various infections. Thus, at the time, when a human body is exposed to a serious threat, the protecting mechanisms do not work as they should do.
This is why medical workers should be careful while using antibiotics. Furthermore, the patients should remember that these drugs should not always act as a substitute to immune system. Their abuse can be very dangerous. Thus, one can argue that the issues discussed by Katherine Harmon in her article, are important and evidence-based. This article can be of some interest to people who study biology, immunology or medicine.
Overall, this topic has attracted my attention for several reasons. First of all, I think that such studies can potentially improve the quality of modern medicine. Certainly, the experiments on animals such as mice may be condemned by some people, but at the given moment, it is the only way testing new drugs. Besides, by studying the immune system of these animals, researchers can understand the nature of many diseases and develop more effective drugs or vaccines. Previously, I heard about the hygiene hypothesis and in my opinion, it can account for the increasing number of autoimmune diseases especially in those countries where antibiotics are extensively used.
Certainly, one cannot assume that medical workers stop using them because at this point they are the only way of treating many diseases. However, they should be used very carefully. On the whole, these questions can have significant implications for the economy of healthcare. Currently, the governments of many countries have to find ways of preventing the diseases, rather then only treating them. By understanding how the immune system works and how it can be strengthened, medical workers can decrease the cost of healthcare and help many patients who have immunological disorders. These are the main practical implications of such studies and their findings should not be dismissed.
Although, these problems have not affected me personally, I heard of many people who were suffering from various immunodeficiencies and I think that the duty of medical researchers is to help them because their experiences are full of various challenges. Certainly, the research reported by Katherine Harmon is still very far from creating an efficient medication for autoimmune diseases. However, in the future, this area of study can soon become the central part of medical science. These are the main reasons why I chose to discuss the article.
Works Cited
- Harmon, Katherine. Species-Specific Microbes May Be Key to a Healthy Immune System. Scientific American. 2012: 2. Web.
- Rook, Grahame. The Hygiene Hypothesis and Darwinian Medicine, New York: Springer, 2009. Print.
- Schmidt, Michael. Beyond Antibiotics: Strategies for Living in a World of Emerging Infections and Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, Washington: North Atlantic Books, 2009. Print.