Having read several articles and watched several documentaries on TV about human ailments not caused by virus or bacteria, a question came to mind. Why is it that animals, especially those in the wild, do not suffer from these kinds of ailments? Being an avid watcher of Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, it simply amazes me to watch animal living in the wilderness. They do not have artificial protection to rely on, on which humans depend upon. They eat raw food drink water from streams, rivers, ponds and murky pools. They have such a strong immune system, that if were technology, far more advanced than ours. Their food and water sources have, in one way or another, been affected by pollution. Acid rain would have dropped on them!
Also recently discovered aboriginal people are not susceptible to modern mans’ diseases or ailments. I have not read or watched a documentary about extensive results on physical examination and medical studies of aboriginal people. Or, are the results exclusive to scientists and medical practitioners? Maybe science has made man live longer but more susceptible to ailments and diseases. I also have not read any article about the life span or real age of aboriginal people compared to modern man. Life expectancy has become longer but this is largely dependent on medicine. It is doubtful if the aboriginal people would have medicines that come close to that of modern man.
The ailments and diseases of modern man seem to be pointing to progress and change of lifestyle. Even those who migrate to other countries are affected in one way or another. They may look healthy from different aspects but they never know what is happening exactly in their cells. There are cells called anti-nuclear cells, that, as I understand, oppose or attack normal cells. This was as explained to me in layman’s terms by a physician. I asked about this because this causes the disease called lupus. My sister, who has been in Australia for 15 years now, was suspected to be ‘afflicted’ with this. I am glad though that on their visit to us a year ago, it seems that she is well. She was treated by a physician with medication only. No confinements or complicated procedures.
For one thing, immigrants have a change of diet and lifestyle. One might say, there are migratory birds! Yes, that’s true, but they have been used to that and it has been their life ever since. They did not change to that. That is also the reason why it is difficult for wild animals to survive in captivity. If ever they survive, they will need medical attention and care, even more than what human beings need.
Are human beings doomed? All forms of cancer are still not 100% curable. There is now AIDS that still has no definite cure. SARS had threatened the world very recently. The Bird-flu is still very much around and a matter of concern now in Turkey!
It seems that mankind becoming weaker. In basketball, for example the NBA, there were only very few players who would be out for an entire season due to injuries before the 1980s! But now, players are sidelined or out due to injuries, from ingrown toenails to ankle, knee, back, shoulder, nose etc. These players even do some stretching and exercise before the game! I haven’t heard of that before the mid-1970’s!
The animals in the wild have been doing just what they did for centuries. They were dying because of natural causes. But those that were decimated or have become extinct were the doings of man. Animals domesticated by man are now having odd diseases such as hoof-and-mouth and mad cow disease! It is regretful I could not recall if I learned about it in a TV documentary or read it in some magazine that these diseases of animals were actually because of the processed food being given to them.