Are Microbes Good or Bad - Essay Example

Are microbes good or bad? The present paper is devoted to the of harm and usefulness of bacteria.The main purpose is to determine if bacteria are really both harmful and beneficial for our health. The work is based on the literary sources, together with the Internet based search engines (according to the References). The relevance of the work is clear, as more research is directed at finding benefits of bacteria. Introduction In our past scientists were sure that human organism represents an ideal machine that is self-sufficient and can defend any illness itself with the help of its inside mechanism. Our body was considered to be perfect as it is able to determine if we are hungry or thirsty, tired or sprightly, sick or healthy. In case of illness our organism was thought to be able to struggle with the disease itself and without medicines. The scientists were sure that our immune system is able to defend any microbe that tries to attack our body. Literature was full of controversial opinions in relation to possible usefulness or harmfulness of bacteria. There often appears an issue of possible positive influence of hygiene and sanitation on the significant decrease of most infections (Microbes: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly). But at the same time, it is stated that bacteria can really fight and prevent many diseases. It should still be acknowledged that the need in hygiene is relevant, for many infections are not yet dead in the community, and thus need close attention and control. In addition, a number of new infections have recently appeared, which means that human immune system is not ready for them, and thus is the most vulnerable and open (Madigan & Martinko, 2006). The purpose of the work is to find out, whether bacteria are really harmful and beneficial at the same time. Modern investigations testify that our organism is, unfortunately, is far from ideal in terms of defending diseases. Many studies proved that our organism represents a kind of ecosystem full of bacteria, which live first of all in our intestines. Lots of bacteria can be also found in our mouth, skin, genital organs. What is more, a great number of the cells of human body is not human, they are bacteria cells. It should be noticed that these cells are not dangerous, they are rather helpful (Microbes: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly). It is no need to remind people that we are living among trillions of microbes and many of them lives in our organism. We can’t see them with unaided eye, but if we inspect our hand with the help of microscope, we will be really surprised. Many microbes are not harmful, they are rather helpful for our organism. They take part in the work of our immune system and in digesting of our food. They even help us breath and cure as they influence the efficiency of medicines we take. However, sometimes microbes can cause unpleasant illnesses such as poisoning and infections (Microbes: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly). Many people in the world can’t agree that bacteria can be helpful, because when they hear the word “microbe”, they get prepared to defend themselves at once. They associate the word “bacterium” with illness and danger. However, bacteria can also be helpful for human beings. Now everybody knows that bacteria improve our digestion. They also help us defend bad organisms, which may attack our body; they provide us with vitamins. Some bacteria are used to make medicines. “Each one of us is home to some 100 trillion bacteria. This mass of microbes — accounting for 1–3% of our body weight — resides in our mouth, nose, genitals and intestines, as well as on our skin. Although we are only just beginning to discover what these microscopic hitchhikers do, it is already obvious they are not freeloaders — many play an important role in maintaining human health” (Travedi, 2012). The author of the article “The surface brigade” (2012) makes us acquainted with the investigations specially held by scientists to determine the usefulness of bacteria. The scientists are sure that we really can’t do without bacteria. The fact is that bacteria can be useful and harmful at the same time. Lactobacillus Acidophilus is a bacterium that fights bad bacteria. It also can be found in our intestines and also in the mouth. Lactobacillus Acidophilus helps our digestion, cure our organism from diarrhea, prevents different infections (Ackerman). Bacteria E. coli that presents in our organism brings us harm and benefit at once. It defends our intestines and keeps them healthy. E. coli also helps us assimilate vitamins that is very important. However, it also can be harmful as cause poisoning. E. coli is considered to be a reason of anemia and kidney illnesses. If it appears in our food, we can get sick. In order to prevent the infection, we should follow the rules of hygiene. (Microbes: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly). The scientist Martin Blaser implemented the research and revealed that state of our skin plays a very important role in the state of our organism: “the cast of microbes inhabiting the plaque is much more diverse than on healthy skin from either psoriatic or unaffected individuals. He also found that the major phyla of bacteria were present on both psoriatic and healthy skin, but in different ratios. Most notably, there was a striking trend in bacteria from the Proprionibacterium genus: healthy skin had most, unaffected skin from psoriasis patients had moderate levels, and psoriatic lesions contained least” (Travedi, 2012). The scientist is sure that bacteria should live on our skin. Our skin is covered with microbes and if this cover is disrupted, we appear in danger. Blaser states that we really need microbes. The scientists proved that bacteria are really important for our skin as they defend us from many diseases: “the evidence linking the microbiota and eczema, which affects more than 15% of children and 2% of adults in the United States, is more solid than for psoriasis. The number of children suffering from eczema has tripled in industrialized nations in the past 30 years, suggesting an environmental trigger. Research has that more than 90% of eczema patients have colonies of Staphylococcus aureus on both their affected and unaffected skin” (Travedi, 2012). Bacteria are also applied to make vaccines in order to prevent many diseases. Actually the issue of vaccination is very controversial. It should still be acknowledged that the need in vaccinating children is relevant, for many infections are not yet dead in the community, and thus need close attention and control. In addition, a number of new infections have recently appeared, which means that childs immune system is not ready for them, and thus is the most vulnerable and open without any vaccination applied. For example, before the vaccine against pertussis has been invented, the death rates among children were about 9,000 each year. Not this index has fallen to almost 500 children a year. As far the humanity has not invented anything better than vaccination in the present society for the prevention of most infections among children, the need in childhood vaccination is evident. At the same time, childhood vaccination should be combined with the general control of vaccine producers and sellers. The essence of vaccination is in creating special antibodies which will protect the child from the disease. But as far as this initial level of antibodies in the organism is decreased with time, re-vaccination is often needed, and there should be no fear in relation to this event. The possible connections of such diseases as autism, diabetes, paralysis, etc., have no grounds and still need profound research. The vaccines conservatives, which could cause the increase of these diseases are no longer included into the formulations (Cavalier-Smith, 2006). But it is no doubt that the significant decrease of most dangerous infections has happened due to the active application of vaccines in early childhood. Of course, the question of closer control over childrens health should be discussed, as any vaccination should be preceded by the thorough examination of every child for the subject of possible allergic reactions. But the questions as for are childhood vaccinations really needed – is not ambiguous: they are needed in combination with deeper research, education and practice of those who are involved into the process. Imagine that there are 100 children at school, and 95 of them have got their vaccination against measles. In case measles covers the school, there will for sure be 5 cases of measles among those who have not been vaccinated. At the same time, remembering that only 9 of 10 children, who have been vaccinated, are 100% safe from getting ill, some children will also get measles. But it does not mean that vaccination does not work. According to the official statistics, only 90% of vaccinated children get the stable immunity against the disease. Conclusion The conclusion can be made that human organism can’t live without bacteria. “Just as the microbes in the gut provide nutritional benefits, those on the skin also earn their keep. Some have evolved to eat dead skin, some transform the oils that skin cells produce into a natural moisturizer, and others are thought to keep harmful bacteria and viruses from invading” (Travedi, 2012). There are many bacteria can be harmful and useful at the same time. They can cause illness but they can also cure it. We really can’t do without bacteria. The other question lies in what possible infections may be caused by bacteria. It should be always remembered, that infections still exist in the society. Thats why on the one hand there may exist no discussion and doubt for following the rules of hygiene. But the logic here is not in preventing infections, but in making human organism healthier, thus preventing the negative influence of bacteria. According to Blaser, it is increasingly apparent that our skin is not the first line of defense against the external world: that role falls instead to the army of microbes that live there. Keeping them happy could be the key to keeping our skin soft, supple and healthy” (Blaser, cited in Travedi, 2012). It is proved that microbes are not so cruel and dangerous for our health as we used to think, they help our immune system work properly. We can be afraid of microbes or try to make them our friends that is much more attractive and beneficial. Works Cited Cavalier-Smith T. "Cell evolution and Earth history: stasis and revolution". Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 361, 2006; Madigan, M, Martinko, J. Brock Biology of Microorganisms (13th ed.). Pearson Education, 2006;  Rybicki EP. "The classification of organisms at the edge of life, or problems with virus systematics". S Aft J Sci 86, 1990; Trivedi, Bijal, The surface brigade.Macmillan Publishers Limited, 2013; Microbes: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, debaronson.com, 2008, accessed June 23, 2013 http://www.debaronson.com/features/Microbes; Ackerman, Jennifer . How Bacteria in Our Bodies Protect Our Health scientificamerican.com, n.d., accessed June 23, 2013 http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=ultimate-social-network-bacteria-protects-health. Read More