Poop transplants

Designer gut bacteria

wow. wowowow.

"Emerging science shows that a human’s microbiome – their constellation of gut microbes – has a far greater effect on health than anyone previously imagined. This enormous ecosystem we host in our bodies includes bacteria, fungi, viruses and more.

The collective genetic material in the microbiome performs myriad functions that affect our mood, our immunity, and our physical and mental health.

Crappy western diets and antibiotics are depleting our microbiota. And in some cases, a person’s microbiome is disordered enough that it needs a little boost from someone else’s.

Restoring them to health has become a very serious scientific endeavour, as the diversity of our gut bacteria is linked to everything from depression to how we respond to cancer treatment.

Now researchers are working on a “super stool” – a poo pellet you can eat that mimics a so-called unicorn’s special abilities."