The parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, has been transmitted indirectly from cats to roughly half the people on the planet, and it has been shown to affect human personalities in different ways.
Research has shown that women who are infected with the parasite tend to be warm, outgoing and attentive to others, while infected men tend to be less intelligent and probably a bit boring. But both men and women who are infected are more prone to feeling guilty and insecure. [...]
Can a common cat parasite account for part -- even if only a very small part -- of the cultural differences seen around the world? [...]
Toxoplasma, he notes, is "frighteningly amazing."
It can change the personality of a rat so much that the rat surrenders itself to a cat, just as the parasite wanted.
The parasite's eggs are shed in a cat's feces. A rat comes along, eats the feces, and becomes infected. The behavior of the rat undergoes a dramatic change, making the rat more adventuresome and more likely to hang out around cats.
The cat eats the rat, and the parasite completes its life cycle.
So the next time you think it's a good idea to appease murderous islamo-fascists or turn over complete control of our lives to the government, perhaps you should see if you're infected by this parasite.
Hat Tip: Tim Blair
