Word: germ
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...Purell instant handwash. It was on the subway, and a woman who must have been a model removed a bottle from her purse. She raised it high and squirted a long stream down onto her cupped hands, which she rubbed together like she was starting some crazy, germ-killing fire. It was just like in the movies, except this movie was made by a neurotic Jewish guy like me. Like movies...
...never been particularly germophobic, mostly because that would require cleaning my apartment. But once I found out about these easy-to-use antibacterial products (soap, Purell, body lotion, sponge, detergent, telephone swabs), I became obsessed. It reached its climax last month when I heard about the Killer Germ. The germ, a new strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria immune to antibiotics, had killed a middle-aged woman in Hong Kong. Normally, I wouldn't be afraid of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria because I don't know what it is. But Killer Germ I understood...
Though most forms of DNA manipulation are now effectively unregulated, one important potential goal remains blocked. Experiments aimed at learning how to insert functional genetic material into human germ cells--sperm and eggs--remain off limits to most of the world's scientists. No governmental body wants to take responsibility for initiating steps that might help redirect the course of future human evolution. These decisions reflect widespread concerns that we, as humans, may not have the wisdom to modify the most precious of all human treasures--our chromosomal "instruction books." Dare we be entrusted with improving upon the results...
Unlike many of my peers, I'm reluctant to accept such reasoning, again using the argument that you should never put off doing something useful for fear of evil that may never arrive. The first germ-line gene manipulations are unlikely to be attempted for frivolous reasons. Nor does the state of today's science provide the knowledge that would be needed to generate "superpersons" whose far-ranging talents would make those who are genetically unmodified feel redundant and unwanted. Such creations will remain denizens of science fiction, not the real world, far into the future. When they are finally...
...word bacteria, and most folks conjure up images of a nasty germ like staphylococcus or salmonella that can make you really sick. But most bacteria aren't bad for you. In fact, consuming extra amounts of some bacteria can actually promote good health. These beneficial bacteria are available without a prescription in drug and health-food stores and in foods like yogurt. So far, the best results have been seen in the treatment of diarrhea, particularly in children. But researchers are also looking into the possibility that beneficial bacteria may thwart vaginal infections in women, prevent some food allergies...