Infection: The Uninvited Universe
We use antibacterial soap to wash our hands, we swab our doorknobs and phones with antibacterial wipes. We pop antibiotics at the first sign of disease—all because of our fear of infection. But we are all infected. From before birth to after death, infection is what makes us human.
The microscopic creatures that live on, in and around us play profound roles in the ways the world works—roles that are vital to our lives. Every moment of every day, we swim in a sea of microorganisms—some good, some bad, some indifferent. The challenge is to separate the good from the bad, because we cannot live without the good, and the bad may kill us. Infection: The Uninvited Universe dives deeply into the gruesome, fascinating, and essential world we all need to survive. This startling, chilling, and inspiring narrative explores the domain of microscopic creatures that live all around us—the tiny brethren that ensure our health, as well as take it from us.
Also on the Select List are fifteen agents that sicken and kill both livestock and humans—like Bacillus anthracis—and five toxins that affect both animals and humans—like Botulinum toxin. Botulinum toxin blocks the function of nerves, causing muscles to relax suddenly. It is one of the most lethal toxins known, and it would take only about 75 nanograms to kill a 165-pound human. That’s about two thousand times more toxic than ricin. Three ounces of Botulinum toxin would be enough to kill a billion people.
