The human body is an odd and wonderful organic machine. Science may never fully understand how and why it works the way it does. Recently, a study out of California found that children could reduce their risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia 30 percent simply by playing with other children in a playgroup setting. Strange but wonderfully true.
It seems when children contract a simple infection, such as those found in places where children are in close quarters, it improves their chances of fighting or never even developing leukemia.
However, if a child's immune system is not stimulated early in life, it raises the risk of the body reacting inappropriately toward other infections which can lead to the development of leukemia.
This study is just one of many in a long line of recent immune-system research. It appears that our clean, germaphobic culture has begun to take a toll on the health of the public. Apparently, sterilization is not the way to disease-free existence. In fact, a life free of germs may indeed be humanity's downfall.
In recent years, the number of children with food and other allergies has risen dramatically. Many scientists believe this correlates with the rise in anti-bacterial products such as soap and hand gels, which keep people germ and disease-free. Evidently, if the immune system has no germs in the environment to fight, it will begin attacking the body, causing allergic reactions and other maladies.
Imagine the immune system as a toddler. If the child no longer has anything constructive to do, he or she will likely turn to destructive measures to keep him or herself occupied. By keeping our lives so clean, we may indeed be destroying ourselves from the
inside-out.
Luckily the solution to this problem is quite simple. We all need to become dirtier human beings. Now that is not to say we should not wash our hands after working with dangerous chemicals.
Special care should still be taken around those vulnerable to deadly infections, but everyone else needs to lighten up on the soap.
This may be a difficult adjustment for some people. After all, people have become accustomed to wiping down their machines at the gym, storing hand sanitizer in their backpack and washing their hands after every single sneeze.
Again, I am not implying that all these activities should cease. But people should choose their germy battles carefully. Imagine the money that would be saved if homes and businesses purchased less soap, not to mention the waste which would not be produced and dumped into the environment.
So I say go ahead and eat dinner without washing up first. Shake hands with strangers on the street and do not wipe your hand afterward. Or, if you are really daring, do absolutely nothing after sneezing. Not only is it liberating, it is actually good for the body. Go ahead and become a dirty kid.
The next time you see someone leave the restroom without washing his or her hands, do not berate them. Just remember he or she may end up being healthier in the end.
Emily Houtler is a sophomore majoring in math and environmental science. We welcome your feedback. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
