"New research shows we are all superorganisms!"

 

The human body is a complex and fascinating organism, but recent research has shown that our individual identities may be more complex than we thought. It has long been known that our bodies are made up of various organisms, including viruses, bacteria, and potentially even other humans. For example, the microbes in our gut can produce neurotransmitters that alter our mood and may even influence our appetite. The parasite Toxoplasma gondii can infect humans and cause risky behavior, schizophrenia, and suicidal depression.

One way in which humans may be invaded by another person's cells is through conjoined twins, who can share a brain. However, even regular twins can have shared organs without realizing it. During early development, cells can be passed between twins or triplets, leading to a phenomenon known as chimerism. This occurs when an individual has cells with a different genetic blueprint than their own, which may occur in many organs including the brain. This can disrupt the normal arrangement and function of brain regions, potentially explaining why twins are less likely to be right-handed.

Even individuals who do not have a twin may be invaded by another human's cells through early merging of fetuses in the womb or through organ transplantation. Some people may also have cells from a deceased sibling that were transplanted into their mother during pregnancy. Cells from a mother's previous pregnancy may also persist in her body and potentially be passed on to future children. In one extreme case, non-human cells from a chimpanzee were found in the brain of a human.

The concept of a superorganism, in which multiple individuals coexist and influence one another, challenges traditional ideas of individual identity and agency. It raises questions about what it means to be an individual and to what extent our actions are truly our own. Further research is needed to understand the full extent and impact of chimerism and other ways in which our bodies may be composed of multiple organisms.

The research discussed in this article suggests that our bodies are not as individually distinct as we may have previously thought. Our bodies are made up of various organisms, including viruses, bacteria, and potentially even other humans. These organisms can influence our behavior and alter our mood, and in some cases may even disrupt the normal function of our brain. Additionally, the idea of chimerism, in which an individual has cells with a different genetic blueprint than their own, challenges traditional ideas of individual identity and agency. While we are still learning about the full extent and impact of these phenomena, it is clear that our bodies and identities are more complex and interconnected than we previously realized.