>Parasites often alter the behavior of their hosts in ways that are

> ultimately beneficial to the parasite or its offspring.
>

The parasite Toxoplasma makes mice and rats less fearful of cats, the
definitive host.  This induced change in behavior makes the infected rodent
more likely to pass on the infection to the critical cat host.

Humans infected with Toxoplasma (generally from exposure from cat feces)
also show more risk-taking behavior.

"The study suggests that male carriers have shorter attention
spans<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention_span>,
a greater likelihood of breaking rules and taking risks, and are more
independent, anti-social, suspicious, jealous and morose. It also suggests
that these men are deemed less attractive to women. Women carriers are
suggested to be more outgoing, friendly, more promiscuous, and are
considered more attractive to men compared with non-infected controls."
(Wikipedia)

Infected humans also get into more car accidents.

Since roughly a third of the human population is infected, shouldn't we have
all of our lawmakers and politicians routinely tested for toxoplasmosis?

Randy Oliver

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