The bacteria (or virus or parasite) made me do it

[n2doc]

y Ben Harder, Published: June 13
Those who believe in free will might be troubled to learn a few secrets about viruses, bacteria and parasites. While it may sound like science fiction, science hints at the potential for microbes to influence our minds, or at least our behavior.

Granted, with very limited exceptions, there’s no conclusive proof that foreign agents can control us from within. But when you consider the evidence with an open mind, it’s interesting to consider the possibilities.

The latest relevant finding seems innocuous enough. Last month, three insect and plant disease researchers in the University of California system reported a discovery about the tomato spotted wilt virus. As its name suggests, this virus infects and damages tomato plants. It’s harmless to people.

To jump from plant to plant, the virus relies on insects known as thrips. A thrip feeds by sticking its oral probe into a plant’s cells and sucking out the contents. If a cell happens to contain the virus, the thrip sucks it up, too.

Scientists already knew that virus-infected tomato plants are more appealing to thrips than uninfected plants. The California researchers discovered something else: Once a thrip consumes the virus, its behavior changes. It spends more time feeding, and it licks more plant cells in the process, coating the next tomato plant with the virus.

more

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/science/the-bacteria-or-virus-or-parasite-made-me-do-it/2011/05/24/AGI9ZeTH_story.html

[GreenStormCloud]

1. This isn't news. There are numerous cases of animal behavior changes due to parasites.

An interesting one is Toxoplasma gondii. It is carried by cats and left in their feces. When a rate is infected with it the rats seeks out a cat. Not good for the rat but great for the ToxoGon. It spreads to a new cat if the cat is uninfected. ToxoGon is harmless to cats.

Changes in human thought are suspected but not proven.

[damntexdem]

2. Silly argument: of course biological systems influence our behavior.

And bacteria, viruses, and so on affect biological systems, so can influence our behavior.