Publisher's Synopsis
Kirkus Review of Germs Are Us, July 2015 "Benarde covers everything you wanted to know about the interactions of humans and the microbes that live with us in this engrossing exploration of the human biome. The author brings together a wealth of scientific lore in prose that is interesting, accessible, and studded with entertaining anecdotes. His enthusiasm is, er, infectious...and mounts impassioned arguments on policy issues, including stinging attacks on opponents of genetically modified foods and childhood vaccinations... The result is a thought provoking reconsideration of our relationship with nature at the most intimate level... As always a fascinating guide to the ecosystem within." Finally, a book that offers a refreshing view of the positive role germs play in our world. Germs Are Us is an attitude changer, sending anxiety and fear packing. Understanding is the key, and Germs Are Us provides that key. Consider it a guide for unlocking and revealing the myriad contributions microbes provide for our existence, wellbeing, and enjoyment. In Germs Are Us, we learn that our 10 trillion human cells and our 100 trillion microbial cells -that's not a misprint - along with our 22,000 genes and their eight million genes, all co-mingled, create a supra-organism; a supra-human! "To banish microbes is to banish ourselves. They are the oldest living things on earth; they can live without us, as they have for billions of years. We cannot live without them." - Melvin A. Benarde, Author
