The Ultimate Social Network Jennifer Ackerman Summary

The Ultimate Social Network In the article “The Ultimate Social Network” by Jennifer Ackerman it states that bacterial cells in the human body out number human calls ten to one. Now, that might sound scary. However, Ackerman also states that microbiome does not threaten us but offers vital help with basic physiological processes from digestion to growth to self-defense. By recognizing microbes in the body scientists can identify the specific effects of these microbes. And by doing this they can gain a new view of how our bodies function and why certain disease, such as obesity and autoimmune disorders, are on the rise. However, this a difficult task. In the article she states that our bodies support one of the most complex microbial ecosystem

This is due to our own fates, health, action, and where we have been. All these factors contribute to why our microbe makeup is varied from person to person. This can make it difficult for scientists to distinguish microbes. (Ackerman, 2012, p. 40) Even though microbes are beneficial to us. They can also be highly dangerous and can cause serious illness. For example, for year’s scientists thought Helicobacter pylori was a pathogen causing peptic ulcers. But, in 1998 Martin Blaser and his colleagues publishes a study showing in that most people, H. pylori benefits the body by helping regulate levels of stomach acid along with many other functions. This is a perfect example explaining how some bacteria can be helpful and dangerous. (Ackerman, 2012, p. 43) Some bacteria is also beneficial to the immune system. Mazmanian and his team at Caltech have discovered that a common microorganism called Bactroides fragilis helps to keep the immune system in balance by boosting its anti-inflammatory arm. Now this might be a beneficial bacteria but we cannot forget about the dangerous bacteria called pathogens that are forever changing. They are changing because they are fighting back due to the antibiotics and vaccinations we humans have produced. Mazmanian says “All these disease have both a genetic component and an environmental component. I believe that the environmental component is macrobiotic and that the changes are affecting our immune system.” He then states “That is the future of our work.” (Ackerman, 2012, p.