The Microbiological Basis of Human Superorganism Freedom

Abstract

This opinion article looks at the relationship between human biological make-up, (e.g., the biology, microbiology, genes, and human genetics), and the human condition on earth looking across two centuries. For the mid-20th century, I examine the work of the great Ukrainian-American geneticist and evolutional biologist, Theodosius Dobzhansky, with an emphasis on three key aspects of his life and career 1. His landmark theorems on genetic variability and adaptability, 2. His science- driven vision of human nature, why humans are born free and what we must do to remain free, and finally, 3. Dobzhansky’s decades long personal struggle to call out non-science masquerading as science-driven policy (the Lysenko debacle). Trofim Lysenko’s disastrous agronomy program based on anti-genetics and non-science was heralded by political leaders and media alike, dom - inated food production in two Communist countries, resulted in horrific famine and mass starvation, and was allowed to continue across decades. Dobzhansky’s individual opposition to this misuse of science that created human suffering and death was juxtaposed to the virtual silence of U.S. major genetics organizations. Five rules for having and keeping freedom are presented from Dobzhansky’s 1956 human freedom treatise. Now in the 21st century, there are interesting parallels to be made. Dobzhansky’s genetics are updated to include the microbiome and the reality that we are by several measures, mainly microbial taking form as a human superorganism/holobiont. With earth being a microbial planet and humans representing a microcosm of that life, our place on earth as envisioned by Dobzhansky is even more solidified. Finally, I examine the prolonged microbiome-destroying, im -mune-altering public health mandates instituted for the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic that increasingly impinge upon human freedoms all in the name of science. It is useful to ask: What would Dobzhansky have to say about genes and human freedom today?