Zombie Science: Zombies are the new Vampires, except these ones won’t be glittering in the twilight...
Zombies are definitely in this year, with the new epic Zombie series ‘The walking dead’ restarts this February, it's guaranteed most of us will be in training for the apocalypse. As in all zombie tales the post apocalyptic scenario of humans struggle for existence against the trans-morphed, rotting versions of themselves has enthralled the minds of many.. In fact a fascinating subject I recently came across is zombie science and the likelihood of such a situation actually occurring.
When encountering said Zombie film, whether it be George Romero’s cult classic ‘Night of the living dead’ or the more modern Danny Boyles ’28 Days later’ science always plays a part. From an airborne virus to parasites and neuro-toxins to the bacterial infection from the saliva of a rare rat-monkey found in the remote mountains of South America.... The science of said outbreak is taken for granted, then disregarded as soon as the film finishes and threat to mankind is extinguished, or mankind itself meets a somewhat sticky end. I however, am left pondering the possibilities of an era in which the dead would roam the earth....
So let’s talk about infection. The idea of an emotionless, flesh eating organism aimlessly wandering with nothing but basic motor functions to keep it company may not be as far fetched as you once thought.
You only need a brain stem. Ever heard the one about the chicken that went on to live for a year having been decapitated? That's because technically a brain stem is all you need to preform basic motor functions (such as stumbling around shouting brains) thus deterioration in the cortex (what makes us human) would result in a zombie like appearance. But the brain stem is usually damaged too, I hear you cry, advances in medicine has allowed the replication of healthy living brain cells through stem cell research. Such innovative medicine could render the patient alive yet void of thought and personality - the beginnings of a whole load of bad zombie mojo don't you think?
It is widely known that some parasites have the ability to modify the behaviour of their hosts to insure their life cycle is completed. Take Toxoplasma gondii, a common parasite found in rats, cats and humans. The toxoplasma will make cysts happily throughout the unsuspecting victims body and brain with no apparent physical detriment. However, as the toxoplasma must complete it's life cycle within the gut of a cat, this nifty parasite has evolved to slightly change the behaviour of it's current host. The rats instinctual and inherited fear of cat's vanishes and thus it becomes an easy meal and a ticket out for the parasite. Perhaps it's important at this point to establish the connection between zombie and said parasite. Well, did I mention that through domestication of the cat over half of the worlds population is infected with Toxoplasma? I know what you're thinking- answer to the unprecedented increase in 'cat ladies'.... One study found a significance in behaviours of infected humans, stating that infected individuals tended to be more insecure and self reproaching. Now, if a parasite has the ability to change our personalities, are out thoughts really our own? Or are we just mindless flesh destine to roam this earth to do the bidding of microscopic organisms? You decide...
Neurotoxins and germ warfare is not a new concept, governments have already come up with vicious alternatives to weapons such as anthrax, botulism and have you ever seen a rabbit with myxomatosis? Bulging eyes, slow moving, bodily juices...oozing. Does this sound familiar?! Consider a neurotoxin developed from naturally occurring chemicals (alkaloids) that cause schizophrenic behaviour, perhaps hallucinations and what do you have? The rage virus- 28 days later...
All I can say is I'm glad someones already working on our survival. R.J Smith a mathematician at the University of Ottawa has been developing a zombie apocalypse model. A infectious disease model in which various scenarios are tested to see whether human kind would survive or zombies would cause the complete collapse of society.... Using math they established quick aggressive attack was the only way. So I guess 'nuking them' wasn't that far off... alas, I always hated that ending.
So always remember, no loud noises it attracts attention, go for the head else your dead and a watch your friends, feverish and shifty? I'd start to worry.....................
Brains.
