Are Microbes Good or Bad for Humans?

Summary

To explain if microbes are good or bad for humans, Hank Green (2019) argues in his

video that the answer to this question is not as black and white as it may seem. He calls our

attention to the idea that, contrary to popular belief, microbes are not all evil, instead, there is

a great potential to use them for our benefit. Green says that most of us learn the first

description of microorganisms as some invisible "germs" that cause diseases. Our usual

interactions with microbes, e.g., sneezing, coughing, stomach disturbance, circarial

dermatitis, and death, are also not very pleasant. In addition to that, medical research has

further emphasized our understanding of the potential harms of microbes. But such a

simplified notion about microbes is now being challenged by a better understanding of the

role of microbes in this world. Although our major chunk of research is on pathogenic

microbes, it is estimated that less than 1% of microbes cause disease. The terms

"microbiome" and "probiotics" are now widely understood and used among people. While

showing beautiful and fascinating microscopic visuals of microbes, Green highlights that

microbes can have a variety of effects on us, ranging from giving us cheese to tetanus. He

uses Nematode and Euglena as examples. Nematodes, commonly known as roundworms, are

considered explicit examples of pathogens. But interestingly, they can circulate nutrients like

nitrogen and move other microbes around the soil, and some nematode species may be pests

while others are useful in controlling insect populations. On the other hand, Euglena, which

appears to be harmless, killed 21,000 striped bass in 2002 with its toxin called

euglenophycin. But it also has the potential to be used as a superfood, as it is rich in nutrients.

Researchers have also been looking to use euglenophycin to treat cancer. Green argues that
the ultimate question being asked in this video cannot have a simple answer, because we can

neither ignore microbes and stop fighting disease nor can we cease to discover their uses.