A deepening understanding of how important bacteria are in our
bodies! - For a century, doctors have waged war against
bacteria, using antibiotics as their weapons. But that
relationship is changing as scientists become more familiar with
the 100 trillion microbes that call us home — collectively known
as the microbiome. “I would like to lose the language of
warfare,” said Julie Segre, a senior investigator at the
National Human Genome Research Institute. “It does a disservice
to all the bacteria that have co-evolved with us and are
maintaining the health of our bodies.” This new approach to
health is known as medical ecology. Rather than conducting
indiscriminate slaughter, Dr. Segre and like-minded scientists
want to be microbial wildlife managers. No one wants to abandon
antibiotics outright. But by nurturing the invisible ecosystem
in and on our bodies, doctors may be able to find other ways to
fight infectious diseases, and with less harmful side effects.
Tending the microbiome may also help in the treat